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At least three individuals were fatally shot when armed assailants in Haiti opened fire on journalists, police, and medical personnel during a briefing to announce the reopening of the nation’s largest public hospital.
Two journalists and a police officer were confirmed dead, with additional casualties reported from the Tuesday attack at the general hospital in Port-au-Prince. The hospital had been reclaimed by the Haitian government in July, following its occupation and destruction by gang members.
The Viv Ansanm gang alliance, which exerts significant control over much of the city, has claimed responsibility for the assault. Images circulated online appear to depict several wounded or deceased individuals within the hospital premises.
The shooting commenced as journalists awaited the arrival of Health Minister Lorthe Blema. Journalists Markenzy Nathoux and Jimmy Jean were killed in the attack, according to Robest Dimanche, spokesperson for the Online Media Collective, who spoke with AFP news agency.
Other journalists sustained injuries during the incident, he added. A police officer was also killed, as confirmed by police spokesperson Lionel Lazarre to AFP.
“It felt like a terrible movie,” recounted Dieugo André, a photojournalist who witnessed the attack, as reported by The Haitian Times. “I have the blood of several injured journalists on my clothes.”
In a video posted online, the Viv Ansanm gang alliance declared it had not sanctioned the reopening of the hospital, which they had occupied and destroyed in March.
Leslie Voltaire, head of Haiti’s presidential transitional council, stated, “We express our sympathy to all the victims’ families, in particularly to the Haiti National Police and all the journalists’ associations.
“We guarantee them that this act will not remain without consequences.”
Despite the formation of a new transitional government in April and the deployment of an international force led by Kenyan police officers six months ago, Haiti continues to grapple with severe gang violence.
The assassination of President Jovenel Moïse in 2021 has precipitated a surge in gang-related violence, with an estimated 85% of Port-au-Prince under gang control. The UN reports that approximately 5,000 people have been killed in Haiti this year due to violence, pushing the country towards the brink of collapse.
Frances Ibiefo
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