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After it was happened to California few days ago, now a powerful earthquake of 7.0 magnitude rocked Haiti just before 5 p.m. Eastern time, 10 miles southwest from the highly populated capital of Port-au-Prince, according to the United States Geological Survey, leveling a hospital and causing widespread damage and panic in the impoverished Caribbean country.

The quake was followed by two major aftershocks measuring 5.9 and 5.5, minutes later. Screams and cries for help could be heard as a hospital and other buildings collapsed, burying people under the rubble.

According to a Reuters reporter in the city said he had seen dozens of people apparently dead or injured lying under rubble, which blocked roads. Panic-stricken residents were desperately trying to dig people out from under the rubble or search for missing relatives.

Of course, it was also collapsing the presidential palace and raising fears of substantial casualties in what the country’s U.S. ambassador called “a major disaster.”

The quake prompted a tsunami watch for Haiti, Cuba, the Bahamas and the Dominican Republic.

Communications were widely disrupted, making it impossible to get a clear picture of damage as powerful aftershocks shook a desperately poor country where many buildings are flimsy. Electricity was out in some places.

The White House said President Obama was informed of the earthquake at 5:52 p.m. He directed his staff to begin preparations in case humanitarian assistance is needed. The State Department, the United States Agency for International Development and the United States Southern Command began working to coordinate an assessment, aides said.

“My thoughts and prayers go out to those who have been affected by this earthquake,” Mr. Obama said in a statement. “We are closely monitoring the situation and we stand ready to assist the people of Haiti.”