Children among victims: Armed gang kills at least 70 people in one city in Haiti

Children among victims: at least 70 people killed in one city in Haiti by armed gang Polina Buyanova

At least 70 people died as a result of the attack/Channel 24 Collage (Illustrative photo)

At least 70 people have been killed in a mass attack by armed gang members in the town of Pont-Sonde in Haiti. Women and children were among the victims.

This was reported by Sky News with reference to the UN Office. It is noted that the incident occurred on the morning of Thursday, October 3, when armed militants passed through the town, shooting at residents.

At least 70 people were killed in the attack

Local authorities said that the attack was one of the deadliest in recent years in the country. Among the at least 70 killed civilians were children and women. In particular, a young mother with a newborn child and a midwife were killed.

According to the UN, at least 16 people were seriously injured as a result of the attack. The gang members also set fire to at least 45 houses and 34 cars, forcing local residents to flee.

Gran Grif gang leader Lacson Elan claimed responsibility for the attack. He said it was revenge for the “passivity of civilians” as police and law enforcement officers eliminated members of his group.

Haiti's Prime Minister Harry Conile said the shooting in Pont-Zonde was an attack “against the entire Haitian nation.”

This heinous crime against defenseless women, men and children is an attack not only on the victims, but on the entire Haitian people, he said.

Haiti's police said reinforcements had been sent to the scene after the attack and that security forces were in control of the situation. The UN also called for a strengthening of the international peacekeeping mission in the country.