Sunday, August 17, the Festival Notre-Dame of Petit-Goâve, which took place at the entrance of Louco Night in Avenue La Hatte, with the participation of Carimi, Djakout number one, Kreyol la, Gabel... ended on dramatic events on the night of August 17 to 18.

For reasons still unknown, and according the information gathered at about one o'clock in the morning Sunday agents of the Departmental Unit of Maintenance of Order (UDMO) would have intervened violently, triggering panic, firing in all directions, firing tear gas and beating with violence those present.

In the wave of panic many people who tried to flee were injured, several seriously, by falling or at the hands of security forces.

Taking advantage of the confusion, unidentified individuals took the opportunity to loot the shelves of small traders and steal their revenue of the day.

The toll was heavy : about 43 wounded including two by bullets and small merchant lost all their possessions.

UPDATE 6h24am :

In a letter addressed to the Mayor of Petit-Goâve, this Tuesday, Aug. 10, 2014, Mr. Wilkès Poisson, the administrator of the Notre Dame Hospital of Petit-Goâve indicated the balance of care provided to victims (injured) of the incident occurred during the festival Notre-Dame.

"According to the report of the emergency department in the hospital the number of injuries would be about 40-45, including two shot and one of them was transferred urgently to Médecins sans frontières in Leogane for treatment..."

"In addition, the Notre-Dame Hospital of Petit Goâve has not received any body," wrote Mr. Poisson...

The city authorities have deplored the incident and strongly condemned the misbehavior of UDMO agents and their lack of professionalism.

The Deputy Stevenson Jacques Thimoléon, President of the Chamber, appealed for calm and has guaranteed that all victims will obtain justice "All the officers involved in this incident will be punished according to the law."

Henrio Toussaint, Inspector General of the National Police of Haiti (PNH) has announced the opening of an investigation to identify and punish the police officers involved.

HL/ HaitiLibre / Guyto Mathieu (Correspondant Petit-Goâve)