The Ministry of the Interior and Territorial Communities has learned with dismay the incident that occurred during the unloading of a cargo of food aid from a vessel flying the Colombia flag, Tuesday afternoon in the commune of Dame-Marie (Grand-Anse,South West) causing the death of a young girl and several wounded.

It seems that the pace of discharge was deemed too slow and has aroused the dissatisfaction of a starving population and run out, come in large numbers. According to the Ministry, "the first pieces of information indicate an attempt to looting of ship's cargo unloaded from sloops, by some residents. Looters also reportedly threw stones and conch shells at police and agents of the Minustah [...]"

The beginning of riot prompted the police to use tear gas and bullets to disperse the crowd, "Brazilian peacekeepers who were in support of the Haitian National Police fired rubber bullets and two tear gas," declared Mourad Whaba, humanitarian coordinator for the United Nations Mission in Haiti, adding that an investigation had been opened at the UN.

For an still unknown reason, it seems, according to information that the PNH would have fired with real bullets toward the crowd, killing a teenager and injuring 5 others including one seriously, according to local authorities. An investigation was opened to determine all responsibilities in this incident, said the Ministry of Interior who passed instructions to the Divisional Delegate and Mayors so they take all necessary steps to assist the families of the victims. Likewise, measures were taken to restore order and strengthen security at Dame-Marie.

HL/ HaitiLibre