At least 11 people were killed after a powerful 5.8 magnitude earthquake rocked Haiti's capital city, Port-au-Prince, after the Carribean country's north was hit by the tremor.

The quake took place at 12.11am on Sunday morning with a depth of 10km, according to US Geological Survey (USGS).

The quake was centred around 12 miles (20km) west-northwest of Ti Port-de-Paix off Haiti's northern coast.

The shocks were felt in Haiti's capital city, Port-au-Prince. Tweeps posted pictures showing badly damaged buildings, including what remains of a collapsed auditorium.

Damage in the northern sections of the country, also said President Jovenel Moïse in a tweet. He urged residents to remain calm and said civil protection workers are on alert.

Moïse said he is constant contact with the prime minister who is tasked to coordinate the relief operations. "I asked him to mobilize all the resources of the Republic to help the people," he tweeted.

Le Nouvelliste newspaper reported one person had died when an auditorium collapsed in the town of Gros Morne.

Detainees were also released from a police holding cell that was damaged.