Haiti announces state of emergency, curfew after prison attack

Published March 4th, 2024 - 04:33 GMT
Haiti
This screen grab taken from AFPTV shows tires on fire near the main prison of Port-au-Prince, Haiti, on March 3, 2024, after a breakout by several thousand inmates. (Photo by Luckenson JEAN / AFPTV / AFP)
Highlights
United Nations' estimates that around 3,500 prisoners are believed to have escaped prison.

ALBAWABA - The government in Haiti announced on Sunday a state of emergency and a nighttime curfew, AFP reported.

According to sources, the curfew and the state of emergency were declared following an attack on the capital city's main prison leading to the death of a dozen as well as, several thousands were able to escape jail.

CNN reported citing United Nations' estimates that around 3,500 prisoners are believed to have escaped Haiti’s National Penitentiary during the weekend's violence.

Haitian authorities said in a statement that the "state of emergency and 6:00 p.m. to 5:00 a.m. curfew would be effective from Sunday to Wednesday."

Nonetheless, the government further noted that the measures would be subject to renewal if chaos continues.

One of Haiti’s police unions posted on X (formerly Twitter) calling for all officers in the capital with access to cars and weapons to assist police battling to maintain control of the penitentiary. 

moreover, it warned of consequences if police couldn't stop the attackers saying: "We are done. No one will be spared in the capital because there will be 3,000 extra bandits."

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