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29 Oct 2003 | 11:08 GMT Member Services      Login/Register      Help

 



 



Jamaica's Montego Bay calm after riots
Sun 26 October, 2003 19:09

KINGSTON, Jamaica (Reuters) - Jamaica's main tourist destination, Montego Bay, is calm again after a day of rioting sparked by the killing of two elderly men during a police raid.

There were no reports of tourists being hurt in the riot on Saturday in Montego Bay, 100 miles (160 km) west of the Caribbean island's capital.

Jamaica, whose economy is heavily dependent on tourism, is plagued with violent crime and has one of the highest murder rates in the Americas. But it is rare for crime or unrest to hit main tourist areas.

The violence flared after two men, a merchant and a taxi driver, were shot dead during what police said was shooting between police and criminals early on Saturday.

It was not clear who shot the men.

Police said on Sunday they were caught in a gunfight during a raid on a crime-prone area. Local residents said police were firing wildly.

Residents mounted roadblocks in the area, causing traffic jams, and police used tear gas to disperse crowds. Hotel operators urged guests to stay on the premises during the protests and stores closed their doors.

Two tour buses waiting to take people on sightseeing trips were set ablaze. No one was hurt.

Jamaica, a former British colony with a population of 2.7 million, is struggling to reduce crime that is often fuelled by drug trafficking and gang warfare.

In 2002, 1,045 people were murdered in Jamaica and more than 750 people have been killed since the start of this year, officials say.

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