The earthquake took place at 12.11am on Sunday morning with a depth of 10km.
The quake was centred around 12 miles (20kilometress) west-northwest of Ti Port-de-Paix off Haiti’s north coast.
Haiti’s Civil Protection agency says injuries have been reported.
However, the extent of the damage and number of casualties is still unknown.
Follow our live updates as more details about the disaster emerge.
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10.10am update: Pictures show devastation
Pictures have emerged that show the destruction left by the huge quake.
One of the images shows a group of people stood in darkness staring helplessly at a damaged building.
Another pictures shows a pile of rubble that looks as though it used to be a business or a home.
The full extent of the damage is still not known, but it looks like it may be extensive if these intial pictures are anything to go by.
9.30am update: How many people have died?
Jackson Hilaire, the police chief for the north-west region, said seven people died in Port-de-Paix.
The interior minister, Reynaldo Brunet, added three people had died further south in the town of Gros Morne.
Another person was said to have died when an auditorium collapsed in Gros Morne, according to Le Nouvelliste newspaper.
This brings the death toll up to 11.
9.07am update: President confirms earthquake has struck
Haiti’s president Jovenel Moïse said this morning: “An earthquake with a magnitude of 5.8 has hit Haiti.
“According to the first reports by the Civil Protection, there is damage in the Far North of the Island.
“I am working closely with authorities for an appropriate response.”
The Civil Protection agency added: “Our teams from north to south are witnessing a state of panic in some cities.”