Spirit Airlines flight attendant injured after gunfire opened on flight to Haiti

gunshot It crashed into a Spirit Airlines flight bound for Haiti on Monday, injuring a crew member, and may have crashed a separate flight out of the country as the State Department warned of “gang-led efforts” to stop travel to the Caribbean nation.

Spirit confirmed in a statement that one of its flights from Fort Lauderdale, Florida, to Port-au-Prince, Haiti, was diverted to the Dominican Republic on Monday. It was stated that the inspection of the plane showed damage consistent with gunshots.

“A Flight Attendant on board reported minor injuries and is being evaluated by medical personnel,” the statement said. “No guest injuries were reported.”

Spirit said it was suspending its services to Haiti pending “evaluation” of the incident and the plane was being taken out of service for now. A return flight to Florida is being arranged for crew members and passengers diverted to the Dominican Republic.

The U.S. State Department later issued a warning about “gang-led efforts” to halt travel to Haiti and warned Americans not to go there.

Also Monday, a post-flight inspection of the exterior of the JetBlue plane used on a trip from Port-au-Prince to New York City’s John F. Kennedy International Airport revealed evidence that the plane had been hit by a bullet. he said in a statement.

“No issues were initially reported by the operating team,” JetBlue said.

The airline launched an investigation and said flights to and from Haiti would be suspended until at least December 2. The airline blamed “ongoing civil unrest” as the reason for the pause in travel.

American Airlines made a statement saying it had also suspended its service from Miami to Port-au-Prince.

“We will continue to monitor the situation with safety and security at the forefront and adjust our operation as necessary,” the statement said.

The State Department said Monday in an alert from the U.S. Embassy in Port-au-Prince that it was aware of a pause in operations at the city’s airport.

“The U.S. Embassy in Port-au-Prince is aware of efforts to disrupt gang travel to and from Port-au-Prince, which may include armed violence and disruptions to roads, ports, and airports,” the warning said.

The State Department recommends against travel to Haiti, which is still in the midst of violent political turmoil. Even travel within the Caribbean country is not recommended.

“You should consider your personal security situation before traveling anywhere in Haiti,” the embassy said. “Only attempt to leave or travel within Haiti if you believe it is safe for you.”

Haiti was defeated Armed groups vying for control after power vacuum It was left behind in 2021 with the assassination of democratically elected President Jovenel Moïse. The then unpopular prime minister, Ariel Henry, assumed the role of president and was unable to hold an election.

And when it postponed elections once again this year, violence ensued as armed militias entered the region. the country descends into civil unrest And endangering civilian lives in danger.

Henry said in April He said he would resign Other Caribbean countries and parties are brokering a transitional government.