An accident involving armored vehicles of the Multinational Security Support Mission (MSS) in Haiti has left fatalities and serious injuries among both mission personnel and civilians, according to official statements.

RELATED:

Haiti Faces Renewed Foreign Military Involvement Amid Outcry Over Mercenary Deployment

The incident took place in the mountainous area of Kenscoff, near Port-au-Prince, during a recovery operation for a disabled armored vehicle. MSS spokesperson Jack Ombaka explained: “The accident involved two armored vehicles. One of the vehicles crashed into a wall while towing the other, which then overturned.”

“Unfortunately, fatalities have been reported, which may include civilians and MSS personnel,” Ombaka added, noting that several people were “seriously injured” and transferred to a hospital.

The MSS expressed gratitude to local residents who immediately assisted with rescue efforts and pledged to provide further information “as soon as it is available.”

Following the incident, the U.S. Embassy in Haiti stated it was “deeply saddened” by the accident. “Our thoughts and prayers are with the families and friends of those who lost their lives, and we wish a speedy recovery to the injured,” the embassy wrote on its Facebook page.

The MSS consists of roughly 1,000 personnel, most of them from Kenya. Its mandate is to support the Haitian National Police in confronting heavily armed gangs that currently control about 90 percent of the capital and surrounding areas.

IN THIS ARTICLE