Gangster action in Haiti kills 70 people, burns 45 houses and 34 vehicles

Jakarta –

Government Haiti has deployed a special anti-gang police unit. This followed a massacre northwest of Port-au-Prince that killed at least 70 people according to the UN.

Reported AFPSaturday (5/10/2024), the gangster attack was carried out in the early hours of Thursday (4/10) in the city of Pont Sonde, about 100 kilometers from the capital. The attack resulted in several houses and vehicles being set ablaze after gang members opened fire​​​​.

“Members of the Gran Grif group used automatic rifles to shoot residents, killing at least 70 people, including around 10 women and three babies,” said UN Human Rights Office spokesperson Thameen Al- Kheetan in statement.

The Haitian Prime Minister’s Office said in a statement that these latest acts of violence, which target innocent civilians, are unacceptable and that they want an urgent, strong and coordinated response from the country.

The Haitian National Police will increase its efforts, the statement said, adding that “Representatives of the Interim Anti-Gang Unit (UTAG) have been deployed as reinforcements to support teams already on the ground.”

At least 16 people were seriously injured, the UN said, including two gang members who were killed by police. Gang members reportedly burned at least 45 houses and 34 vehicles, he said, forcing several residents to flee.

(Azh/Azh)