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UN ‘horrified’ as at least 70 killed in Haiti gang attack

Gangs have taken over the capital, and the country’s security and health systems are collapsing

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Armoured vehicles used by Kenyan police rumble through the streets of Port-au-Prince, Haiti. Photo: TNS

The United Nations said on Friday it was “horrified” by the killing of at least 70 people, including women and children, in a gang shooting in troubled Haiti.

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The UN human rights office said the attack in Port Sonde left at least 16 others seriously injured, while dozens of houses and vehicles were torched.

One of the world’s poorest countries, Haiti has plunged into anarchy, with gangs taking over the capital Port-au-Prince, and the security and health systems collapsing.

“We are horrified by Thursday’s gang attacks in the town of Pont Sonde in Haiti’s Artibonite department,” UN Human Rights Office spokesman Thameen Al-Kheetan said in a statement.

“Members of the Gran Grif gang used automatic rifles to shoot at the population, killing at least 70 people, among them about 10 women and three infants.

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“At least 16 people were seriously injured, including two gang members hit during an exchange of fire with Haitian police.

People wait for a food at a camp for displaced persons in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, on Wednesday. Photo: AFP
People wait for a food at a camp for displaced persons in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, on Wednesday. Photo: AFP
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