Destruction widespread in Haitian town of Jacmel

“It is a complete devastation here. Personally I am lucky to be alive“ said Emmet Murphy, head of the Haitian office of the US organization.

WASHINGTON, January 13, 2010 (AFP) - The earthquake that devastated Haiti's capital also caused widespread destruction in the resort town of Jacmel, south of the capital, a witness said Wednesday.

"It is a complete devastation here. Personally, I am lucky to be alive," said Emmet Murphy, head of the Haitian office of the US non-governmental organization ADCI/VOCA.

"I was driving back to Jacmel in the mountains when the entire mountain seemed to fall down all around me. People were panicking, a building collapsed on the roadside and a huge dust plume raised from the valley floor.

"Seconds later and I would have been crushed by an avalanche that blocked the road and I had to abandon the car and continue on foot," Murphy said in an email obtained by AFP.

The resort town lies south of Port-au-Prince, which was devastated Tuesday by a major 7.0-strength earthquake.

"Jacmel is a disaster zone. Many houses are collapsed or severely damaged. Everyone was on the streets when I got to town. There must be many deaths judging from the way the houses collapsed and given the poor construction practices and materials," Murphy added.

"In addition to many houses collapsed in Jacmel town, one hotel called the Peace of Mind hotel collapsed completely and we fear that many perished. This is on the road to our office in a place called Meyer."

Murphy said displaced people were in urgent need of water, but it was unclear when any assistance would come their way.