A survivor of the worst gang assault on Haitian journalists in recent history recounted on Wednesday the harrowing scene of witnessing colleagues being shot down by bullets while others with severe injuries had to wait for over an hour for assistance. During Tuesday’s tragic attack at the reopening of Port-au-Prince’s largest public hospital, two reporters and a police officer lost their lives, while seven journalists covering the event sustained injuries.
Photographer Jean Fregens Regala vividly remembered the chaos: “Some were hit in the chest. Some journalists suffered facial injuries, while others were shot in the mouth or head.” The Viv Ansanm coalition of street gangs, which currently controls much of Port-au-Prince, surrounded the hospital and unleashed gunfire through a metal gate. The gangs expressed anger over the government’s decision to reopen the hospital without their consent.
Video footage captured the moment when the metal gate outside the hospital buckled under a barrage of bullets, prompting journalists to scramble for safety. Regala recounted how he narrowly escaped by seeking refuge behind a concrete guardhouse near the gate, while others rushed inside the hospital amid the relentless gunfire.
Regala stressed the urgent need for medical assistance as the victims bled profusely with no medical supplies or personnel in sight. The dire situation forced journalists to improvise with plastic bags as makeshift gloves due to the lack of proper equipment. Despite calls for help, it took police over two hours to respond, as the gangs controlled most of the surrounding streets.
The Haitian Association of Journalists condemned the government’s reckless actions that endangered the lives of reporters and the public. Regala criticized the lack of preparation and security measures in place for the event, highlighting the disregard for safety protocols by officials.
While the government remained silent on the matter, the wounded journalists were eventually transferred to another hospital for treatment. Interim President Leslie Voltaire expressed condolences to the victims and pledged to address the escalating gang violence plaguing the capital.
With street gangs holding significant control over Port-au-Prince, the safety of journalists and citizens alike remains a pressing concern. The recent tragedy has underscored the need for greater security measures and precautionary actions to prevent future incidents.
Haiti’s most prominent gang leader, a key figure within the Viv Ansanm coalition of gangs, took to social media on Tuesday to claim responsibility for a recent attack. The gang leader, known as Regala, shared a video asserting that the coalition had not authorized the reopening of a targeted hospital.
Recent events have underscored the dangerous environment faced by journalists in Haiti. In the year 2023, the country witnessed the tragic deaths of two local journalists within a short span of time. Dumesky Kersaint, a radio reporter, was fatally shot in mid-April, while journalist Ricot Jean was discovered deceased later that same month.
In a more recent development, former Prime Minister Garry Conille paid a visit to the Hospital of the State University of Haiti, more commonly referred to as the General Hospital, following the successful efforts of authorities to regain control from the gangs. The aftermath of the hospital’s ordeal was stark, with the facility left in a state of ruin and disarray. Bullet holes pockmarked walls and neighboring structures, evidence of the violent clashes between law enforcement and criminal elements. Regala mentioned that efforts were underway to restore the hospital, with workers engaged in tasks such as painting and cleaning.
The relentless onslaught of gang attacks has inflicted severe damage upon Haiti’s already fragile healthcare system, pushing it perilously close to collapse. Rampant looting, arson, and the deliberate destruction of medical facilities and pharmacies in the capital have exacerbated the crisis, resulting in a surge of patients amid dwindling resources available for their care.
Despite the inherent risks and challenges, Regala remains steadfast in his commitment to journalism, choosing to disregard the pleas of his concerned family. He emphasized the crucial role of journalism in keeping the public informed and vowed to persevere in the face of adversity.
