3 killed in Haiti amid food riots, clashes

At least three people were killed and 25 injured in food riots and clashes with U.N. peacekeepers Friday, a mission spokeswoman and Haitian radio said.

A young man was shot in the head and killed during protests in southern Haiti. It was not immediately clear who shot him, though protesters blamed United Nations troops.

U.N. soldiers fired because they were fired upon, said U.N. spokeswoman Sophie Boutaud de la Combe. She said the mission had opened an investigation.

At least two other people were found dead in other parts of Les Cayes, a southern town where rioting occurred for a second day Friday, Radio Kiskeya reported. It was not clear how they died. Boutaud said the U.N. mission was not aware of those deaths.

Nine people were treated for bullet wounds, Boutaud said. A U.N. soldier was slightly injured.

Crowds blocked roads and looted stores in Les Cayes, burned cars and tore down the front gate of a U.N. base.

Food prices are rising worldwide but the problem hits hard in Haiti, where 80% of the population lives on less than $2 a day. Prices for rice, beans, fruit and condensed milk have gone up 50% from last year, and the cost of pasta has doubled.