By Harold Isaac
PORT-AU-PRINCE (Reuters) -A jail break within the Haitian metropolis of Saint-Marc left 12 inmates lifeless on Friday, Mayor Myriam Fievre mentioned, the third such incident in Haiti in current months amid a protracted humanitarian disaster fueled by gang violence.
State Prosecutor Venson Francois mentioned the scenario on Friday afternoon was beneath management on the jail, which housed round 540 inmates, however the native inhabitants ought to stay vigilant and look ahead to escapees.
“The scenario is beneath management however the outcomes are catastrophic. All of the cops’ dormitories have burnt down. The archives have burnt down. They’ve set every part on hearth besides their cells,” Francois mentioned.
Earlier within the day, unverified movies shared on social media confirmed individuals climbing over partitions and smoke streaming out of partitions ringed with barbed wire, a loud explosion and hearth.
Walter Montas, an area authorities official, mentioned the incident had developed out of a spontaneous protest as prisoners had been going with out meals and going through appalling well being situations.
The nationwide police didn’t instantly reply to Reuters’ request for extra data on the incident in Saint-Marc, some 55 miles (88 km) north of the capital.