FORT LAUDERDALE-HOLLYWOOD INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT, FLA. (WSVN) – PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti (WSVN) – A Spirit Airlines flight traveling from Fort Lauderdale to Port-au-Prince, Haiti was diverted to Santiago, Dominican Republic, after the plane was struck by gunfire, the airline said.

Flight 951, which departed Fort Lauderdale on Monday morning, landed safely in Santiago, Dominican Republic, after the incident.

According to the airline, an inspection revealed damage consistent with gunfire.

A video shared on X, the social media platform formerly known as Twitter, showed bullet holes in the emergency exit door and overhead bins.

One flight attendant suffered minor injuries and is being assessed by medical personnel. No passengers were injured.

The plane has been taken out of service and the airline is arranging another plane to return passengers and crew to Fort Lauderdale.

Spirit Airlines has suspended its flights to Port-au-Prince and Cap-Haïtien (CAP) for further review.

Jet Blue Airlines and American Airlines have announced that they will also suspend flights to and from Port-au-Prince and Cap-Haïtien (CAP) for further review.

Spirit Airlines released the following statement:

Spirit Airlines Flight 951 from Fort Lauderdale (FLL) to Port-au-Prince (PAP) was diverted and landed safely in Santiago, Dominican Republic (STI). Following the flight’s arrival at STI, an inspection revealed evidence of damage to the aircraft consistent with gunfire. One flight attendant on board reported minor injuries and is being assessed by medical personnel. No guest injuries were reported. The aircraft has been taken out of service and we are arranging another aircraft to return our guests and crew to FLL today. The safety of our guests and team members is our top priority and we have suspended our service in Port-au-Prince (PAP) and Cap-Haïtien (CAP) pending further review.

On Monday, the US Embassy said Haiti’s main airport had been temporarily closed due to gangs trying to take control.

Political chaos continued on Monday as gunshots rang out across Port-au-Prince, forcing people to flee to safety.

Monday’s incident took place just hours before Haiti’s ruling presidential council was set to swear in a new prime minister, businessman Alix Didier Fils-Aime, after he ousted Prime Minister Garry Conille in an executive order leaked Sunday and published on the X of the council. bill early Monday morning.

“What Haiti needs, among other things, is stability and political stability,” said UN spokesman Stéphane Dujarric. “Political leadership is needed that puts the importance of stability first. The importance of humanitarian needs. The importance of a return to law and order, first and foremost.”

The US State Department has issued a ‘do not travel’ advisory, asking Americans not to travel to and from Haiti for the time being.

Visit WSVN.com and 7News for more details on this developing story.

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