Deadly Prison Break in Saint-Marc Amid Haiti's Humanitarian Crisis

A prison break in Saint-Marc, Haiti resulted in 12 inmate deaths, highlighting the country's escalating humanitarian crisis driven by gang violence. The situation, initially chaotic, was brought under control by authorities. The incident underscores dire conditions, including lack of food and poor health, facing the prison population.

A prison break in the Haitian city of Saint-Marc left 12 inmates dead on Friday, according to Mayor Myriam Fievre. This marks the third of such incidents in recent months in Haiti, a nation grappling with a prolonged humanitarian crisis exacerbated by rampant gang violence.

State Prosecutor Venson Francois confirmed the situation was under control by Friday afternoon despite the fact that the prison, which housed approximately 540 inmates, endured significant damage. Francois cautioned the local citizens to remain vigilant and report any sightings of escapees. 'The situation is under control but the results are catastrophic. All the cops' dormitories have burnt down. The archives have burnt down. They've set everything on fire except their cells,' Francois stated.

The chaos was reportedly sparked by a spontaneous protest over dire conditions, including starvation and health issues. Unverified videos on social media showed prisoners climbing walls and smoke emanating from the facility, with explosions and fires visible. Local official Walter Montas provided details about the poor conditions that provoked the unrest. The national police have yet to respond to requests for more information about the incident in Saint-Marc, located 55 miles north of the capital.

(With inputs from agencies.)