Haiti hit by another aftershock

A U.S. Marine talks to a Haitian woman about when she will be able to gain access to the U.S. Embassy in Port-au- Prince, Haiti, on Friday. Haintians, trying to leave the country after last week's deadly quake, gathered outside the embassy for the last several days hoping to get visas for travel to the United States. Photo: AP.

Haiti, already devastated by a earthquake last week, was hit by an aftershock measuring 4.4 on the Richter scale at 7.54 am (1254 GMT) on Friday.

The epicentre of the aftershock was reported by the US Geological Survey to be 25 km north-west of the capital Port-au-Prince.

According to the Geological Survey, aftershocks from the magnitude 7 earthquake January 12 would likely continue for months or even years.

Friday’s aftershock comes as the organisation of the aid effort to victims was sharply criticised from several corners, including Haitian President Rene Preval and the medical journal, the Lancet.

While Mr. Preval criticized a general lack of coordination of the relief effort, the Lancet accused many politicians, organisations and businesses of acting with ulterior motives in a “dangerous and immoral game.”