Spirit Airlines Flight Attendant Injured as Plane Hit by Gunfire in Haiti; Flight Diverted to Dominican Republic

Nov 11, 2024, 09:09 PM

A Spirit Airlines flight traveling from Fort Lauderdale, Florida, to Port-au-Prince, Haiti, was struck by gunfire on Monday as it attempted to land, prompting the aircraft to divert to Santiago in the Dominican Republic. The plane was hit multiple times, and a flight attendant was grazed by a bullet, sustaining minor injuries. An inspection revealed evidence of damage consistent with gunfire. The incident led to the temporary closure of Haiti's main airport and the cancellation of flights to and from Port-au-Prince by major U.S. airlines. The U.S. State Department and the U.S. Embassy in Port-au-Prince warned of gang-related violence aimed at disrupting travel in the Haitian capital, including armed attacks to block roads, ports, and airports. The shooting represents a significant escalation in the violence gripping the nation, as gangs attempt to seize control amid political turmoil.