People could be seen fleeing the violence on motorcycles and on foot
At least 20 people, including children, have been killed after an armed gang attacked a small town in Haiti.
Another 50 were injured when members of the Gran Grif gang attacked Pont-Sondé, in the central region of Artibonite, about 71 km northwest of the capital Port-au-Prince.
Video footage shows groups of people fleeing the violence on motorcycles and on foot. A government prosecutor described the attack as “a massacre,” the Associated Press reported.
Armed gangs have taken control of large parts of Haiti, and a UN-backed police mission led by Kenyan officials began in June to regain control. The exact death toll in the attack is unclear — local media reported that more than 50 people were killed, while a Haitian human rights group put the figure at 20 or more, the AP said. .
The Gran Grif is considered one of the most violent gangs in Haiti. In January 2023, its members were accused of attacking a police station near Port-Sondé and killing six police officers. He is also accused of forcing the closure of a hospital that serves more than 700,000 people.
The gang has about 100 members and has been accused of crimes including murder, rape, robbery and kidnapping, according to a UN report cited by the AP. Its founder and current leader are both subject to US sanctions.
Thursday’s violence comes nearly a month after Haitian authorities extended a state of emergency across the country.
Prime Minister Garry Conille vowed to crack down on the gangs, with the UN saying a “robust use of force” was needed.
The UN approved the police mission consisting of 2,500 officers from various countries – including 1,000 pledged by Kenya.
Its implementation was authorized for one year, with a review after nine months.