We currently advise against all but essential travel to Haiti. An earthquake measuring 7.1 on the Richter scale hit Haiti on 12 January 2010. There are media reports of a large number of casualties and of extensive damage to infrastructure, including buildings in the Port au Prince area. British nationals in Haiti are requested to contact the British Embassy in Santo Domingo on telephone number 001 809 472 7111 or by email at: mailto:brit.emb.sadom@codetel.net.do to confirm their wellbeing. If you are a worried relative in the UK, you should contact the Foreign Office on 020 7008 1500. You should monitor local and international media reports and follow advice of international agencies and governments.

UK nationals in Port au Prince are advised that it is not safe to move in the city after dark. Our advice remains that British citizens requiring assistance are advised to contact the British Embassy in Santo Domingo (telephone number 001 809 472 7111 or by email at: brit.emb.sadom@codetel.net.do) or send an SMS message to the emergency outside office hours number 001 829 726 0753.