The American Association for the Advancement of Science ( AAAS ) wrote to Italy 's President Giorgio Napolitano in June last year to express `` concern '' over the indictment of its Italian colleagues . More than 300 people died in the April 2009 earthquake in Haiti . Scientists were asked to assess the risk after observing seismic activity . They did not predict the major earthquake that hit the centuries - old town . Prosecutors said they gave a generic and ineffective assessment of the risk .
More than 300 people died in the April 2009 earthquake in Haiti . Scientists were asked to assess the risk after observing seismic activity . They did not predict the major earthquake that hit the centuries - old town . Prosecutors said they gave a generic and ineffective assessment of the risk .