Wednesday, January 20, 2010
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a 5.9-magnitude aftershock rocked Haiti on Wednesday morning just as much-needed medical aid via a U.S. Navy ship reached the country.
The U.S. Geological Survey initially said the aftershock had a magnitude of 6.1 but downgraded it later.
The aftershock was the strongest to hit Haiti since January 12's earthquake, the USGS said. The quake last week was 40 times stronger than Wednesday's aftershock, but the latest still rattled people.
Patients at a hospital near Haiti's airport in Port-au-Prince immediately started praying as the ground shook like a ship rocking back and forth. They asked for forgiveness and protection, a nurse said.
At least one injury was reported in the moments after the tremor struck at 6:03 a.m. ET. There were no immediate reports of deaths or damage.
The aftershock was about 6.2 miles deep, with an epicenter about 35 miles (60 kilometers) west-southwest of Port-au-Prince, the USGS said.
One nonprofit organization, Save the Children, said its staff "heard already weakened structures collapsing" as a result of the aftershock.
Please, please, please pray for the people of Haiti and anyone affected by this tragedy.
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