- At least 20 dead after gang attack in Haiti
- Brutal attack in Pont-Sondé, a small town in Haiti’s Artibonite region
- Gran Grif gang are responsible for the violence – which also left 50 people wounded
At least 20 dead after gang attack in Haiti
At least 20 people, including children, have been killed in a brutal gang attack in Pont-Sondé, a small town in Haiti’s Artibonite region, about 71km (44 miles) from the capital Port-au-Prince. Members of the notorious Gran Grif gang are responsible for the violence, which left another 50 people wounded. Local video footage captured scenes of terrified residents fleeing on foot and motorbikes. Authorities have called the incident a “massacre,” though the exact death toll remains uncertain, with some reports suggesting the figure could be higher.
Haiti has increasingly fallen under the control of armed gangs, with the Gran Grif gang being one of the most violent. Known for previous attacks, including a January 2023 assault on a police station that killed six officers, the gang has been linked to numerous crimes such as murder, rape, and kidnappings. Its leadership has even been targeted by US sanctions.
In response to escalating violence, the Haitian government has declared a state of emergency and a UN-backed policing mission, led by Kenyan officers, was deployed in June 2023. The mission, comprising 2,500 officers from various countries, aims to curb gang violence and restore order. Prime Minister Garry Conille has committed to cracking down on gang activity, with the UN emphasising the need for a “robust use of force” to stabilize the country.
