The Red Cross says up to three million people have been affected by a major earthquake in Haiti.
The full scale of the disaster has yet to be revealed, as rescue crews wait for daylight to begin the major operation.
Witnesses say much of the capital Port au Prince has been devastated.
The first tremor hit 7 on the Richter scale, but there have been more than 30 aftershocks, with experts warning the threat still has not yet passed.
Up to 20 Irish people are believed to be in Haiti, mostly aid and communications workers.
Dale Grant from the US Geological Survey has said tremors will continue.