Breaking: US Flight to Haiti Diverts After Being Shot At
Passengers and Crew Safe Following Incident Near Port-au-Prince
American Airlines flight 1428 from Miami to Port-au-Prince, Haiti, was forced to divert to the Dominican Republic on Thursday night after being shot at as it approached the Haitian capital. All passengers and crew onboard are reported to be safe, with no injuries reported.
The incident occurred around 8:30 pm local time as the Boeing 737 aircraft was preparing to land at Toussaint Louverture International Airport in Port-au-Prince. According to American Airlines, the plane was struck by gunfire multiple times as it flew over the Carrefour area of the city.
The pilots immediately took evasive action and diverted the flight to Las Americas International Airport in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, where it landed safely. Passengers were disembarked and provided with assistance, while the aircraft was inspected for damage.
The motive behind the shooting remains unclear, and authorities are investigating the incident. The US Embassy in Haiti has issued a security alert advising American citizens to avoid the Carrefour area of Port-au-Prince and to exercise caution when traveling in the country.
The incident highlights the ongoing security challenges in Haiti, which has been plagued by political instability and gang violence in recent months. The US State Department currently advises American citizens to reconsider travel to Haiti due to crime, kidnappings, and civil unrest.
American Airlines has confirmed that the passengers and crew of flight 1428 are safe and that the airline is cooperating with authorities in the investigation. The incident is a reminder of the risks associated with travel in certain parts of the world and the importance of following travel advisories.
