Pont Sonde, Haiti—In a tragic incident early Thursday morning, more than 20 individuals, including children, lost their lives and 50 others sustained injuries during a violent gang attack in the town of Pont Sonde, according to officials from a local human rights organization. The assault was carried out by members of the notorious Gran Griff gang, who not only targeted innocent civilians but also set fire to homes and vehicles in a shocking display of violence that has left the community reeling.
Bertide Hares, a spokeswoman for the Commission for Dialogue, Reconciliation and Vigilance, reported the grim toll of the attack, emphasizing that many residents were forced to flee their homes in panic. "Many people fled the area," Hares told media. Eyewitness accounts and social media footage depict scenes of chaos as terrified residents ran for safety. In one video, a woman can be heard gasping for breath and pleading,
"Where to go?" as she navigates through the bushes. As the violence unfolded, locals expressed frustration over the apparent inaction of law enforcement in the nearby coastal town of Saint-Marc. Hares and other community leaders criticized police for failing to intervene during the attack, leaving residents vulnerable to the gang's brutality. The Gran Griff gang is estimated to have around 100 members and has been linked to a series of violent crimes, including murder, rape, robbery, and kidnapping, underscoring the growing security crisis in Haiti.
As the community mourns the loss of life and grapples with the aftermath of this horrific event, calls for increased security measures and support from the government are growing louder, highlighting the urgent need for action to protect the citizens of Pont Sonde and restore safety to the region.