According to the United Nations Human Rights Office, a gang attack in central Haiti on Thursday reportedly resulted in the deaths of at least 70 individuals, including 10 women and three infants.
The attack also compelled hundreds of individuals to flee for their lives.
The international security force, which has been deployed in Haiti since June with the primary objective of combating gang-fueled violence, is confronted with new challenges as a result of the attack, which is part of the ongoing violence in rural areas of the country.
The assault occurred in Pont-Sondé, approximately 60 miles north of the capital, Port-au-Prince, at approximately 3 a.m.
According to the Health Ministry, the community is situated in the Artibonite department, a critical agricultural region that has experienced an increase in gang violence.
According to the U.N. Human Rights Office, the Gran Grif gang was responsible for the attack, as its members employed automatic rifles to fire at the populace.
It was reported that at least 16 individuals sustained severe injuries, including two gang members who were wounded during a confrontation with Haitian police.
The U.N. statement reported that gang members set fire to at least 45 residences and 34 vehicles, resulting in the evacuation of a number of residents.
The statement also urged for additional international security assistance to be provided to Haiti.
The Artibonite region has also experienced an increase in violence, although gangs are primarily concentrated in Port-au-Prince.
Additionally, the Haitian Health Ministry reported that at least 50 additional individuals sustained injuries.
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