At least ten people were killed in an affluent neighborhood of Haiti's capital, Port-au-Prince, and there were reports of looting and robberies of power equipment as gangs took over the capital.
On Monday morning, a Reuters witness witnessed at least ten dead bodies, some of which had gunshot wounds, on the streets of upmarket Petion-Ville on the outskirts of Port-au-Prince. The victims were eventually taken by ambulance. The authorities have not commented on the circumstances surrounding the deaths.
Haitians reported shooting and looting in nearby Laboule. Later, the streets surrounding Petion-Ville were nearly abandoned.
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Meanwhile, the EDH power provider reported that numerous stations had been assaulted, with wires, batteries, and documentation taken.
Armed gangs, which have grown in prominence in recent years, used Prime Minister Ariel Henry's absence earlier this month to intensify violence, assaulting infrastructure such as police stations and government buildings.
Under international pressure and stranded in Puerto Rico, the unelected Henry announced his resignation a week ago, pending the appointment of a council and a temporary replacement. Still, the transition council has yet to be appointed due to disagreements among groups putting forward representatives.
A United States State Department representative said the council's membership might be finalized "very soon," with an update expected later Monday.
Local media stated that Haiti's Catholic Church would not attend the meeting, as had been expected, to preserve a "moral distance." However, it was cited as adding that it hoped all sectors would work together to resolve the situation.
The church's bishops council did not immediately reply to a request for comment.
Leaders of the armed organizations that have long desired Henry's removal have warned of a "battle" for Haiti and threatened politicians who join the transitional council. Residents are suffering severe food and medical shortages as shipping companies alter routes.
UNICEF, the United Nations Children's Agency, said over the weekend that one of its containers containing "essential items" for maternity, neonatal, and childcare had been taken from Haiti's main port.
