Vigilante killings are on the rise in Haiti’s capital and surrounding areas, where an additional five men were slain and set on fire on Tuesday (May 2) by a crowd that left one of the bodies near a police station.

The male victims were apparently brought out alive from the slum of Jalousie outside Port-au-Prince and then killed, according to witnesses.

Most of the bodies were left strewn along the road that leads to the home of former President Jovenel Moïse, who was killed in July 2021. While a fifth body was left close to the police station in suburb of Petionville.

“It’s horrible for them to be killed in front of the eyes of the police,” said Jean Marc Étienne, who witnessed the scene while sitting in a park in front of the station. “That shows nobody is safe, that anybody can be killed.”

The Associated Press visited the police station, where authorities declined to comment on the matter.

At least 18 people have been reportedly killed by crowds in Port-au-Prince and surrounding areas since last week, although videos and pictures shared on social media suggest the number may be higher.

The images largely show crowds pelting men with big rocks and setting fire to gasoline-soaked tires placed around or over their bodies.

READ: Civilians mob and set fire to 13 suspected gang members in Haiti – Our Today