Armed assailants opened fire during a press briefing at Haiti's largest hospital, resulting in three fatalities and several injuries. This attack marks a continuation of the rampant gang violence that has overwhelmed the nation since the assassination of President Jovenel Moïse in 2021.
Gunmen Attack Haiti Hospital, Leaving Three Dead in Shocking Incident
Gunmen Attack Haiti Hospital, Leaving Three Dead in Shocking Incident
A violent attack on a public hospital in Port-au-Prince has resulted in the deaths of two journalists and a police officer as gang violence continues to plague Haiti.
In a tragic series of events, three individuals lost their lives in an attack that unfolded at a public hospital in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, on Tuesday. The violence erupted as journalists, police officers, and medical staff gathered for a briefing to announce the reopening of the capital’s largest hospital, which had previously fallen victim to gang occupation and violence.
Among the deceased were two journalists, Markenzy Nathoux and Jimmy Jean, and a police officer, according to reports from the Haitian Times and other sources. The incident unfolded as gunfire erupted shortly before the scheduled arrival of Health Minister Lorthe Blema. Eyewitness accounts reveal the chaos that ensued, with photojournalist Dieugo André describing the horrifying scene, stating, "It felt like a terrible movie," and recalling the blood of injured colleagues staining his clothes.
The notorious Viv Ansanm gang alliance, which asserts control over large portions of Port-au-Prince, claimed responsibility for the attack. In a statement shared online, they disputed the legitimacy of the hospital's reopening, signaling their discontent over its restoration after months of control and destruction.
Leslie Voltaire, head of Haiti's presidential transitional council, expressed condolences to the families of the victims and pledged that this act of violence would not go unpunished. Despite the establishment of a transitional government in April and the recent deployment of an international force led by Kenyan officers, gang violence continues to plague Haiti.
The ongoing turmoil in the nation follows the 2021 assassination of President Jovenel Moïse, leading to an alarming increase in gang activity. The United Nations has reported that nearly 85% of Port-au-Prince remains under gang control, with up to 5,000 people reportedly killed in related violence this year alone. The situation in Haiti is escalating towards a humanitarian crisis, as communities struggle under the weight of rampant violence and lawlessness.
