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At least 47 people have been killed in a gang raid in the town of Kenscoff in Haiti, with more than 50 others kidnapped.
Tunzale Melikova2 min read
Updated: August 26, 2026 2:06 pm
At least 47 people were killed, more than 50 kidnapped, and another 22 injured in an armed gang attack on the town of Kenscoff, located near Haiti’s capital, Port-au-Prince, the United Nations said amid growing outrage over ongoing violence.
UN Secretary-General António Guterres on Tuesday condemned the attack, which occurred on the evening of August 23. According to reports, this incident became one of the largest mass kidnappings in Haiti in recent years and took place as the country prepares for its first general election in more than a decade.
Guterres noted in his statement that what happened underscores the “alarming security situation in Haiti and reinforces the urgent need to step up efforts to combat gangs” at both national and international levels.
Kenscoff Mayor Jean Massillon reported that armed men set fire to houses and killed residents, specifically targeting a church and residential buildings, including the home of prominent public health expert Jean William Pape. According to him, the attack was carried out by members of the Viv Ansanm group, which was designated as a terrorist organization by the United States last year.
People in Kenscoff are suffering, and the government is to blame,” a local resident said.
The Haitian Prime Minister’s office promised to take action and restore state authority without delay, stating on social media that Kenscoff will not be abandoned. At the same time, local residents demanded the resignation of the local police chief due to the failure to prevent the massacre near the police station.
Source: aljazeera.com
