The Haitian government has dispatched an anti-gang police team after a gunman opened fire on a town near the capital Port-au-Prince, killing at least 70 people and forcing more than 6,000 to flee.
“This heinous crime against defenseless women, men and children is not only an attack on the victims, but on all of Haiti,” Prime Minister Garry Conille said in X, adding that security forces were reinforcing the area. added.
What we know about this attack
Local authorities said gang members brandishing automatic weapons opened fire in the town of Pon Zonde on Thursday, then set fire to houses and vehicles.
“Members of the Gran Grif gang used automatic weapons to open fire on residents, killing at least 70 people, including around 10 The victims included a woman and three young children.
The gang reportedly set fire to at least 45 homes and 34 vehicles, forcing many residents to evacuate.
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Bertido Horace, a spokesperson for the Dialogue and Reconciliation Committee to Save the Artibonite Valley, said the gang met no resistance, adding that police officers were often outnumbered by gang members. He added that he stayed at the police station out of fear.
Horace said several people were shot in the head as the attackers went door to door. “They were left to shoot anyone, and everyone was running everywhere. They were walking, shooting people, killing people, burning people, burning houses, burning cars.”
Human rights groups estimate the death toll to be much higher.
Haitian Prime Minister says attack requires ‘urgent and strict response’
The leader of the Gran Griff gang, Lacson Eran, said he took responsibility for the massacre, saying it was a reaction to civilians who remained silent when police and vigilantes killed gang members.
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“This act of violence targeting innocent civilians is unacceptable and requires an urgent, tough and coordinated national response,” Prime Minister Garry Conneill said in a statement.
In a statement, Haitian police said they were “intensifying efforts,” adding that “Temporary Anti-Gang Unit (UTAG) personnel are being sent as reinforcements to support teams already on the ground.”
The attack marks an escalation in a conflict in Haiti that has seen gang violence claim more than 3,500 lives in January alone.
mfi/kb (AFP, Reuters)
