Haiti gang raid death toll rises to 47 as more than 50 kidnapped, says UN

By Al Jazeera Staff, AP and Reuters. Published On 26 Aug 202626 Aug 2026.

Key points

• UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Tuesday condemned the attack in the town of Kenscoff.
• The United Nations Integrated Office in Haiti has remarked estimates of casualties could change.
• The gang member identified himself as Izo 2, a reference to Izo, or Johnson Andre, one of Haiti's most powerful gang leaders.
• Massillon blamed the attack on members of Viv Ansanm, a group that was designated as a "foreign terrorist organisation" by the United States administration last year.
• Kenscoff resident Marc Paul, 42, remarked gangs kidnapped his brother, stepmother, stepfather and two cousins.

At least 47 individuals were killed, more than 50 others kidnapped, and another 22 residents injured in a gang raid near Haiti's capital of Port-au-Prince, the United Nations has noted, prompting anger over violence against the backdrop of repeated deadly attacks.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Tuesday condemned the attack in the town of Kenscoff. It took place on the evening of August 23.

It is believed to be one of the largest mass kidnappings in Haiti over recent years, and comes as Haiti hopes to hold its first general election in more than a decade.

Guterres remarked in an official note that the event underscores "the alarming security situation in Haiti and reinforce the urgent need to intensify Haitian and international security efforts to combat gangs".

Jean Massillon, Kenscoff's mayor, remarked armed men "sowed chaos" as they set homes on fire and killed residents. He remarked gang members targeted a church and homes, including that of Jean William Pape, a leading public health expert.

Notably, the United Nations Integrated Office in Haiti has remarked estimates of casualties could change.

Even as Haiti's administration decried a "heinous attack" and promised to reinforce security, residents demanded the local police chief step down, saying officers failed to protect residents killed a short distance from the police station.

Kenscoff resident Marc Paul, 42, remarked gangs kidnapped his brother, stepmother, stepfather and two cousins. He remarked his 16-year-old niece was additionally captured and raped but was able to escape and has reunited with him.

"I had to run over bodies, " he informed The Associated Press news agency as he recalled how he fled the attack.

Another resident, Coriolan Kendy, standing by his cousin's body, lying on the road in a blood-stained sheet, informed the Reuters news agency: "People in Kenscoff are suffering and the government is to blame."

In practice, the prime minister's office has promised to take action, stating that "Kenscoff will not be abandoned".

The government's authority will be restored, without weakness and without delay, ' the prime minister's office remarked on social media.

In a video posted on social media, a gang leader threatened Vladimir Paraison, director of the Haitian National Police.

"Paraison, if any of our soldiers are hurt, I will kill all of them, " he remarked, referring to the hostages.

In practice, the gang member identified himself as Izo 2, a reference to Izo, or Johnson Andre, one of Haiti's most powerful gang leaders.

Notably, the hillside community of Kenscoff, in a strategic position overlooking routes into the capital, has suffered a dozen attacks by armed gangs since last year, forcing thousands to flee their homes.

Powerful gangs under a broad alliance have for years cemented their influence over Haiti's capital and expanded to nearby regions, despite attempts by foreign nations to reinforce the country's outgunned police.

For now, haiti gang raid death toll rises to 47 as more than 50 remains the part of the story worth watching, and further updates are likely as more details are confirmed.