Port-au-Prince was hit on Wednesday by a strong earthquake measuring 6.1 on the moment magnitude scale, eight days after the Haiti capital was razed by a 7.0 quake.

The quake struck 59km west of the capital Port-au-Prince, according to the US Geological Survey.

It followed the much more powerful quake on January 12 that is thought to have killed 100,000 to 200,000 people.

Residents reported a low vibration followed by a brief but more powerful rumbling shake at 6.03am (2203 AEDT).

AFP reporters in the city said there was no immediate sign of damage or casualties, but a crashing sound could be heard suggested that an already damaged building may have collapsed.

In nearby Petionville AFP staff said the quake was felt for around 10 seconds.

The US Geological Survey initially measured Wednesday's quake at 6.0.
It struck at a depth of 9.9km, it said.

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