Tragedy struck in Haiti as armed assailants killed at least three individuals during an attack targeting medical staff, police, and journalists at a press briefing for the reopening of the nation’s largest public hospital.
The incident occurred on Tuesday at the General Hospital in Port-au-Prince, leaving many others injured.
Images shared online depict scenes of chaos, with several casualties reported inside the facility.
This hospital had just been regained by the Haitian government in July, following a period of occupation and destruction by violent gangs that dominate large portions of the city.
The shooting erupted as journalists awaited the arrival of the health minister, resulting in the deaths of two journalists and a police officer.
In response to the tragic event, Haiti’s transitional presidential council promised to hold the attackers accountable.
“We extend our condolences to the families of the victims, particularly to the Haitian National Police and all journalists’ organizations,” stated the council.
The ongoing violence in Haiti remains a pressing issue, as citizens continue to endure overwhelming gang activity despite the establishment of a transition government in April and the deployment of an international police force six months ago.
Since the assassination of President Jovenel Moïse in 2021, Haiti has faced rampant gang violence.
Currently, an estimated 85% of Port-au-Prince is under the grip of gangs, and the United Nations reports that over 5,000 people have lost their lives to violence in Haiti this year alone, with the nation teetering on the brink of collapse.
