Haitian police engaged in a prolonged firefight with gangs from Thursday night into Friday, killing seven gang members and deliberately destroying a helicopter that was forced to land during the operation, authorities said.

The incident took place in Croix des Bouquets, on the outskirts of Port-au-Prince. According to a Haitian National Police (PNH) statement on Facebook, the helicopter experienced a “suspected malfunction” and had to make an emergency landing. Police officers were unharmed, but set the aircraft on fire to prevent gangs from seizing it.

Videos posted online Friday appeared to show gang members celebrating next to the burned helicopter.

PNH spokesperson Garry Desrosiers confirmed that seven gang members were killed. Police also recovered a Barrett semi-automatic anti-materiel rifle used in the confrontation — a powerful, high-capacity weapon authorities say gangs frequently use to intimidate civilians.

Croix des Bouquets is dominated by Viv Ansanm (“Living Together”), a major gang alliance designated by the U.S. as a foreign terrorist organization.

Gang influence in Haiti has surged in recent years, with criminal groups now controlling roughly 90% of the capital. Violence has displaced a record 1.4 million people, according to the U.N. International Organization for Migration.

The U.N. is supporting a Kenya-led mission to counter Haiti’s gangs, though critics say the effort suffers from inadequate staffing and funding.