Haitian gangs attack at least 70 people, including children

At least 70 people, including children, have died after an armed gang attacked a small town in Haiti.

According to the United Nations, 16 people were seriously injured when Gran Grif gang members rampaged through Pont-Sondé in the central Artibonite region, about 71 kilometers (44 miles) northwest of Port-au-Prince. .

The video shows groups of people fleeing the violence on motorbikes and on foot. A government prosecutor described the attack as “a massacre,” the Associated Press reported.

Armed gangs have taken control of much of Haiti and a United Nations-backed policing mission, led by officers from Kenyabegan in June in an attempt to regain control.

The United Nations said gang members “burned at least 45 houses and 34 vehicles”.

Gran Grif is said to be one of the most violent gangs in Haiti. In January 2023, its members were accused of attacking a police station near Pont-Sondé and killing six officers. It was also blamed for forcing the closure of a hospital serving more than 700,000 people.

According to a United Nations report cited by the AP, the gang has about 100 members and is accused of crimes including murder, rape, robbery and kidnapping. Both its founder and current leader are subject to US sanctions.

Thursday’s gang rampage occurred nearly a month after Haitian authorities extend the state of emergency to cover the entire country.

Prime Minister Garry Conille has vowed to crack down on these gangs and the United Nations says it is necessary to “use force strongly”.

It approved a policing delegation of 2,500 officers from various countries – including 1,000 pledged by Kenya.

Their implementation has been approved for one year and a review will be held after nine months.