Al Jazeera – Breaking News, World News and Video from Al Jazeera
· collected 2026-08-26 · by Al Jazeera Staff
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has condemned a gang raid near Port-au-Prince that killed at least 47 people and kidnapped more than 50 others on August 23. The attack took place in the town of Kenscoff and is believed to be one of the largest mass kidnappings in Haiti in recent years. According to Kenscoff's mayor, Jean Massillon, gang members set homes on fire and killed residents, targeting a church and homes including that of a leading public health expert. The incident has sparked anger over violence amid repeated deadly attacks and calls for intensified security efforts from the UN and local government.
Written by the local model on 2026-08-26,
using this article's own text rather than the other coverage of the
same event (that is the story summary below).
Story summary
At least 47 people were killed and more than 50 others kidnapped in a violent gang raid on the town of Kenscoff near Haiti's capital of Port-au-Prince. The attack occurred on the evening of August 23, prompting widespread anger and condemnation from the Haitian government, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, and residents who demand greater security measures. This is one of the largest mass kidnappings in Haiti in recent years and has left many feeling vulnerable and trapped. Local officials have promised to reinforce security, but residents are calling for the local police chief to step down due to alleged failures to protect civilians. The UN has expressed concern over the "alarming security situation" in Haiti and is urging international efforts to combat gangs that have been expanding their influence since last year.
Written for “Violent Attacks in Haiti” on 2026-08-31,
grounded in this article and the 2 other(s) covering the same event.
Why this leaning score
The article's own words the score was based on. Each is quoted
verbatim and was checked against the article text before being
stored, so you can find it in the original.
Leaning score -0.35 for article 2639 (high confidence, 1 verified quote) · logged 2026-08-27
At least 47 people were killed, more than 50 others kidnapped, and another 22 people injured in a gang raid near Haiti’s capital of Port-au-Prince, the United Nations has said, prompting anger over violence amid repeated deadly attacks.
asserted
Nations → kill → attacks
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Tuesday condemned the attack in the town of Kenscoff, which took place on the evening of August 23.
asserted
which → condemn → August
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asserted
Haitians → blame → return
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asserted
end → mean → US
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It is believed to be one of the largest mass kidnappings in Haiti in recent years, and comes as Haiti hopes to hold its first general election in more than a decade.
asserted
Haiti → leave → decade
Guterres said in a statement that the event underscores “the alarming security situation in Haiti and reinforce[s] the urgent need to intensify Haitian and international security efforts to combat gangs”.
asserted
event → say → gangs
Jean Massillon, Kenscoff’s mayor, said armed men “sowed chaos” as they set homes on fire and killed residents.
asserted
they → say → residents
He said gang members targeted a church and homes, including that of Jean William Pape, a leading public health expert.
asserted
members → say → Pape
Massillon blamed the attack on members of Viv Ansanm, a group that was designated as a “foreign terrorist organisation” by the United States government last year.
asserted
that → blame → government
The United Nations Integrated Office in Haiti has said estimates of casualties could change.
uncertain
estimates → say → casualties
Even as Haiti’s government decried a “heinous attack” and promised to reinforce security, residents demanded the local police chief step down, saying officers failed to protect people killed a short distance from the police station.
Kenscoff resident Marc Paul, 42, said gangs kidnapped his brother, stepmother, stepfather and two cousins.
asserted
gangs → decry → brother
said his 16-year-old niece was also captured and raped but was able to escape and has reunited with him.
asserted
niece → say → him
“I had to run over bodies,” he told The Associated Press news agency as he recalled how he fled the attack.
asserted
he → have → attack
Another resident, Coriolan Kendy, standing by his cousin’s body, lying on the road in a blood-stained sheet, told the Reuters news agency: “People in Kenscoff are suffering and the government is to blame.”
asserted
government → stand → Kenscoff
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 said on social media.
asserted
office → promise → media
In a video posted on social media, a gang leader threatened Vladimir Paraison, director of the Haitian National Police.
asserted
leader → post → Police
“Paraison, if any of our soldiers are hurt, I will kill all of them,” he said, referring to the hostages.
asserted
he → hurt → hostages
The gang member identified himself as Izo 2, a reference to Izo, or Johnson Andre, one of Haiti’s most powerful gang leaders.
asserted
member → identify → leaders
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.
asserted
community → overlook → 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.
asserted
gangs → cement → police
