### Gunfire Forces Spirit Airlines Flight to Divert from Haiti to Dominican Republic

A Spirit Airlines flight bound for Haiti was forced to divert on Monday after being struck by gunfire. Flight 951, which departed from Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood Airport in Florida, was originally destined for Port-au-Prince. However, as the plane approached the Haitian capital, it was hit by gunfire, prompting an emergency redirection to Santiago, Dominican Republic.

Upon landing in Santiago, the aircraft underwent an inspection that confirmed damage consistent with gunfire. While no passengers were injured in the incident, a flight attendant sustained minor injuries. Spirit Airlines subsequently took the plane out of service and is arranging for another aircraft to transport passengers and crew members back to South Florida. In a statement to NBC 6, Spirit Airlines emphasized that "The safety of our Guests and Team Members is our top priority."

This event occurs in the context of escalating gang violence in Port-au-Prince, which has significantly impacted daily life and travel. The U.S. embassy noted that Haiti's main airport is currently closed due to the surge in gang activity. According to FlightRadar24 data analyzed by CNN, the plane had descended to approximately 550 feet over the city's Tabarre neighborhood before making a quick ascent and bypassing the runway.

Haiti has faced nearly a year of increased gang violence and political instability, affecting not just local residents but also international entities. In recent weeks, a United Nations helicopter was similarly struck by gunfire, and U.S. embassy vehicles came under attack in October, prompting the evacuation of 20 staffers.

The latest upheaval in Haiti’s political scene involved the replacement of Prime Minister Garry Conille by businessman Alix Didier Fils-Aimé. This change followed an accelerated vote by Haiti's Transitional Presidential Council and comes after the resignation of Conille's predecessor, Ariel Henry, who stepped down earlier this year amid escalating gang violence.

The combination of violent incidents and political instability continues to foster a precarious environment in Haiti, affecting both its citizens and international visitors.