Army of criminals threaten Haiti’s quake survivors

The United Nations has labelled Haiti's earthquake the worst disaster it has ever faced, as government officials in Port-au-Prince say they had already buried 40,000 victims, and expect a final death toll of between 100,000 and 200,000.

Aid is trickling through the tiny airport. But the destruction of the capital's infrastructure and government departments has left a dangerous power vacuum: and now an army of criminals is threatening to fill it.

Various sources have reported 3,000 to 4,000 criminals have escaped from the overcrowded Prison Civile de Port-au-Prince, which was built for 1,200 inmates, taking with them assault rifles and pistols stolen from the guards.

The prisoners are believed to have rioted in the wake of Tuesday's earthquake; reporters who toured the ruins of the prison on Friday and found just four dead bodies - with the main gate of the prison standing wide open.

A policeman standing near the jail said: "All the bandits of the city are now on the streets. They are robbing people. It is a big problem."

Many of the escaped convicts are believed to have returned to the Cite Soleil, the largest slum in the Americas. Until 2004, when they were tackled by UN peacekeepers, up to 30 factions of armed gangs perpetrated a rule of murder, rape and kidnapping on the poverty-stricken residents.

Reuters reporters who toured the empty Prison Civile found few documents remaining; it appears the convicts burned all the papers they could get their hands on to ensure no record of their criminal history remained. They also claim the convicts burned the ruins of the Justice Ministry on Saturday for the same reason.

Cite Soleil's inhabitants already fear a return to the bad old days. "They got out of prison and now they're going around trying to rob people. Last night they spent the whole night shooting," said Elgin St. Louis, one of the 300,000 residents of the vast seaside slum.

Across the capital, order has broken down. AFP reports police firing on looters in the Hypolite supermarket, killing at least one man. Other looters stole the man's bag from his lifeless body (above). Elsewhere, policemen - outnumbered by angry locals - stepped aside while vigilantes deal with looters.

"We are dealing with a disaster like no other in UN memory because the country has been decapitated," said Elisabeth Byrs of the UN Office for the Co-ordination of Humanitarian Affairs. Three government ministers and several senators are reported to have been killed. Government and UN buildings have been destroyed, with many staff lying dead in the ruins.

Meanwhile, President Rene Prevail - possibly for his own protection - is holed up in the city's airport, which he has turned over to United States control in order to get the relief effort moving efficiently. The sea port has been badly damaged, with large cracks opening up on the quayside and cranes leaning dangerously. The UN says the neighbouring Dominican Republic is setting up an 80-mile road corridor to deliver supplies.

The US hoped to have 10,000 troops deployed in Haiti by today, but they could well have a fight on their hands if they hope to protect and distribute the aid to those who most need it. ·