(CLO) On December 24, an armed attack occurred at a government press conference in Haiti, killing two reporters and a police officer, while many others were injured.
The shooting occurred around 11 a.m., as journalists had gathered since 8 a.m. at the National University of Haiti Hospital, where the government planned to announce the reopening of the country's largest public hospital, which had been controlled by gangs and closed since earlier this year.
Journalists were scheduled to attend a press conference with Haiti's new health minister, Duckenson Lorthe Blema, who was appointed after a cabinet reshuffle in late November. Before the shooting, reporters were still waiting for the minister to arrive.
Haiti’s National University Hospital, a key medical facility in the capital Port-au-Prince, was forced to close by street gangs in March after a series of violent attacks. The Haitian government had promised to reopen the hospital on Christmas Eve, but as reporters waited to cover the momentous occasion, gunmen stormed the facility.
One of the journalists injured in an attack by the Viv Ansanm gang in Port-au-Prince, December 24. Photo: Passion Info Plus
Johnson "Izo" André, the leader of the Viv Ansanm gang, considered the most powerful gang in Haiti, posted a video on social media claiming responsibility for the attack. In the video, André stated that his gang alliance did not agree with the hospital's reopening and would stop any efforts to do so.
Video shared online showed at least three people, including reporters, lying on the floor with injuries, although the video has not been verified.
Robest Dimanche, a spokesman for the Online Media Collective, confirmed that the journalists killed in the attack were Markenzy Nathoux and Jimmy Jean. The Haitian Journalists Association also confirmed that two reporters and a police officer were killed, and that seven more reporters were injured. The organization called the attack "horrific" and "pure terrorism."
Haiti's interim President Leslie Voltaire expressed condolences to the victims, their families and the police force, and pledged the government would take strong action in response to the attack.
"This heinous act, targeting a health and life-giving facility, is an unacceptable attack on the very foundation of our society," the government statement said.
The National University Hospital of Haiti is the country's largest public health facility, but it has been closed since the beginning of this year due to gang attacks, especially after the overthrow of former Prime Minister Ariel Henry.
Gang attacks have sparked severe rioting, looting and destruction of many medical facilities and pharmacies in the capital Port-au-Prince, leaving the national health system in a state of crisis.
Ngoc Anh (according to Reuters, Guardian)
Source: https://www.congluan.vn/xa-sung-vao-nhom-nha-bao-dang-tac-nghiep-o-haiti-3-nguoi-thiet-mang-post327417.html
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