At least 32 people were killed in Madagascar in an area north of the capital on Friday after local bandits known as “J’ai peur” set fire to homes, according to statements from the Defense Ministry. The attackers, known locally as dahalos, rounded up the victims inside three houses before setting them on fire.
The killings took place in the Ankazobe district, about 75 kilometers (47 miles) north of the capital Antananarivo on Friday night.
“People here have experienced a real tragedy, many lives have been lost. 32 people died. This is a crime perpetrated by ruthless dahalo (bandits) who burned alive even women and children,” said Defense Minister Gen. Richard Rakotonirina said in a video posted on the ministry’s Facebook page Saturday night.
Cattle rustlers killed at least 32 people in Madagascar by setting fire to homes in a village north of the capital Antananarivo, with Madagascar’s president promising Sunday that the culprits would be punished for the “massacre.” “We must find the perpetrators of this massacre and condemn them according to the law in force,” President Andry Rajoelina said in a message. “The Malagasy army is taking all its responsibilities to come to the rescue of the population and hunt down the thugs,” he added.
