At least 110 people were massacred in a slum in Haiti’s capital, Port-au-Prince. The incident came after a gang leader appeared to have targeted people he suspected of causing his child’s illness through witchcraft. The National Human Rights Defence Network (RNDDH) reported today that gang leader Monel Mikano Felix ordered the killings after a voodoo priest claimed elderly people in Wharf Jeremie had cursed his son. According to media reports, gang members then reportedly butchered at least 60 people on Friday and another 50 on Saturday. Most of the victims were reportedly voodoo followers over the age of 60.

Cité Soleil, a densely populated slum in Port-au-Prince, is one of Haiti’s poorest and most violent areas, tightly controlled by gangs with restricted mobile phone use. Haiti has been wracked by brutal gang violence in recent years. Voodoo, with West African roots, has been practiced in Haiti since the late 18th century and is officially recognised as a religion equal to others.