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At least 70 dead in Haiti massacre, human rights group director says

31 March 2026 09:04 (UTC +04:00)

At least 70 people were killed and 30 more injured in a brutal gang attack in Haiti's Artibonite region, a human rights organization said on Monday — figures far higher than earlier official reports had suggested, DW reports.

Police had first announced 16 fatalities and 10 injuries, while civil protection officials later estimated 17 dead and 19 wounded.

However, the Collective Defending Human Rights group reported a significantly larger death toll, describing the incident as a "massacre" and adding that nearly 6,000 residents were forced to flee their homes as a result.

In a statement, the group criticized local authorities, saying the lack of security response and the failure to protect the Artibonite region showed a neglect of responsibility.

Speaking at a press briefing on Monday, a spokesman for United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres strongly condemned the attack, noting that reported death toll estimates varied widely, ranging from 10 to 80 victims.

"This attack underscores the gravity of the security situation faced by the Haitian population," said the spokesman, calling for a full investigation.

Haiti Artibonite Gang Violence Massacre Casualties Human Rights Collective Defending Human Rights Displacement United Nations Antonio Guterres Security Crisis Investigation