More than 500 inmates escaped from the Mirebalais prison northeast of Port-au-Prince following a violent assault by heavily armed gangs, Haitian authorities confirmed on Tuesday.

The gangs reportedly stormed the facility, overpowering guards and releasing hundreds of prisoners as they seized large sections of the city. The attack marks a significant escalation in Haiti’s spiraling security crisis, as violent clashes between gangs and security forces have intensified in recent weeks.

The government has declared a state of emergency in several surrounding areas and launched a manhunt to recapture the escapees. The incident is considered one of the largest prison breaks in the country’s history and underscores the growing power of armed gangs in Haiti.

The country has struggled to restore law and order since the 2021 assassination of President Jovenel Moïse, facing political instability, institutional collapse, and rampant gang violence. The worsening situation has left citizens increasingly vulnerable to criminal groups that continue to expand their territorial control.