Tropical Depression Grace approaching Haiti

Saturday's 7.2 magnitude earthquake killed at least 1,297 people and injured nearly 5,700 as it brought down thousands of homes and buildings in the deeply impoverished Caribbean nation. /AP

A tropical depression is barreling towards Haiti even as doctors and aid workers are rushing to get flights or transport to reach areas devastated by a major earthquake.

Port-au-Prince airport on Monday was bustling with medics and aid workers, with domestic and private charter flights filled with humanitarian teams and supplies headed south.

Saturday's 7.2 magnitude earthquake killed at least 1,297 people and injured nearly 5,700 as it brought down thousands of homes and buildings in the deeply impoverished Caribbean nation, which is still recovering from another strong earthquake 11 years ago and the assassination of its president, Jovenel Moise, last month.

The earthquake was centred about 125km (78 miles) west of the capital of Port-au-Prince. The areas in and around the city of Les Cayes suffered the biggest hit, putting enormous strain on local hospitals, some of which were badly damaged by the earthquake.

After sundown on Sunday, Les Cayes was darkened by intermittent blackouts, and many people slept outside again, clutching small transistor radios tuned to news, terrified of the continuing aftershocks.

Prime Minister Ariel Henry has declared a one-month state of emergency for the country and said the first aid convoys organised by the government had started moving help to areas where towns were destroyed and hospitals were overwhelmed.

(With input from agencies)