GANGS in Haiti laid siege to neighbourhoods in Port-au-Prince, burning homes and exchanging gunfire with police as hundreds fled early on Thursday, in one of the biggest attacks since Haiti’s new prime minister was announced.

The attacks began late Wednesday in neighbourhoods including Solino and Delmas, located south-west of the main international airport, which has remained closed for nearly two months amid relentless gang violence.

“The gangs started burning everything in sight,” said a man called Nene, who was afraid to give his name. “I was hiding in a corner all night.”