Many are feared dead in Haiti after a magnitude 7.2 earthquake struck the Caribbean nation this morning (August 14).

According to the U.S. Geological Survey, the quake struck 8 kilometres from the town of Petit Trou de Nippes at a depth of 10 kilometres at about 7:30.

Images circulating on social media show severe damage to buildings and fallen rocks.

The Haiti Libre says people are feared dead.

Prime Minister Andrew Holness and Opposition Leader Mark Golding have expressed sympathy for the people of Haiti.

Meantime, the earthquake was felt in sections of Jamaica.

According to the university of the West Indies’ Earthquake Unit, the quake was felt in Portland, Kingston and St. Andrew, St. Catherine and St. Thomas, at about 7:29 this morning.

There are also reports of tremors in St. Ann, Clarendon, Manchester, St. Mary, St. James and Trelawny.

Resident of Kingston and St. Andrew Nuneka Williams told Irie FM News that she was awakened by the quake.

And, Zeco Brown who lives in Manchester says he was also in bed when the quake happened.

The quake was also felt in other Caribbean countries, including The Bahamas, Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico, Turks and Caicos Islands, and Cuba.

Image (Twitter): Patrick Gaspard