At least 70 people were killed and about 30 others injured in a brutal gang attack in Haiti Artibonite region, according to a local human rights organization, a toll far higher than early official estimates.
The assault took place near Petite-Riviere and began early Sunday, continuing into Monday as armed gang members stormed rural communities around Jean-Denis. Residents said attackers opened fire on civilians and set homes on fire, leaving widespread destruction in the area.
Initial reports from Haiti National Police put the death toll at 16, with 10 injured. Civil protection authorities later reported 17 deaths and 19 wounded, mostly men. However, Defenseurs Plus, which monitors human rights violations, said the scale of the attack was significantly larger, estimating at least 70 fatalities.
The United Nations said it is closely monitoring the situation, noting that estimates range between 10 and 80 deaths. Officials called for a full and transparent investigation into the violence.
Rising displacement and deepening crisis
The attack has forced thousands to flee. Defenseurs Plus estimated that about 6,000 people were displaced, while the United Nations reported that more than 2,000 residents had already left their homes in recent days due to nearby gang activity.
Witnesses described panic as families fled burning houses. Authorities said at least 50 homes were destroyed. Injured victims were taken to local hospitals, while bodies were moved to nearby morgues.
Police said three armored vehicles were deployed but faced delays after gangs blocked roads by digging holes. By the time officers arrived, many attackers had escaped.
An audio message circulating on social media has been linked to Luckson Elan, leader of the Gran Grif gang, suggesting the нападение was retaliation for earlier clashes with a rival group in Savien.
The attack underscores Haiti worsening security crisis. Nearly 20,000 people have been killed since 2021, according to a recent United Nations report. More than 1.4 million people, about 12% of the population, have been displaced as gang violence spreads beyond Port-au-Prince into regions like Artibonite.
