Gang opens fire on hospital, killing journalists – DW – 12/25/2024
At least two journalists and a police officer were shot dead when gang members attacked a hospital in the Haitian capital Port-au-Prince on Tuesday, according to local media groups and officials.
The journalists were covering the reopening of Haiti’s largest public hospital when the attack occurred.
The State University of Haiti Hospital was closed from February 2024 after it was attacked by gang members. Authorities promised to reopen it on Christmas Eve, but as members of the media gathered for the inauguration, street gangs opened fire.
what do we know?
Robest Dimanche, spokesman for the online media collective, said journalists Marchenzie Nathoux and Jimmy Jean were killed at the State University of Haiti Hospital, also known as the General Hospital, “during an attack by bandits of the Coalition ‘Viv Ansanem'”. “
Dimanche said other journalists injured in the shooting were being treated at a clinic.
The Haitian Association of Journalists confirmed the deaths and said seven journalists were injured, calling it “a horrific scene tantamount to terrorism, pure and simple.”
The Haitian National Police confirmed that a police officer was killed, but did not provide further details.
Local media reported scenes of complete panic in the city centre, while pictures of injured people lying on hospital floors went viral on social media.
Live streamed video from inside the hospital showed people gathered on the hospital floor as bullets flew overhead. In the video, some people were bleeding from being shot.
Violence continues in Haiti
Leslie Voltaire, president of Haiti’s transitional ruling council, said the shootings were “unacceptable”.
“We express our condolences to the families of the victims, and especially to the police and journalist associations. We assure them that this attack will not remain without consequences,” he said.
Haiti has been ravaged by brutal gang violence in recent years and efforts to restore order – such as the deployment of Kenyan police as part of a multinational security force – have so far had little effect.
Street gangs now control about 85% of the capital city and have previously targeted airports, prisons and clinics.
The same gang, Viv Ansanam, had attacked a clinic last week. Although no one was injured, the complex was largely destroyed.
Earlier in December, street gangs killed about 200 people who were “Voodoo practitioners”, according to the United Nations and a local NGO. Voodoo is officially recognized as a religion on a par with other religions worshiped in the country.
MK/WD (AFP, AP, Reuters)