Haiti gang members kill around 40 displaced people in church attack near capital
Gang members killed around 40 displaced people sheltering in a church in Kenscoff, near Port-au-Prince, on Sunday night, according to local mayor Massillon Jean, who described a 'night of terror'. Some people remain missing.
Gang members killed around 40 displaced people sheltering in a church near Haiti’s capital, a local mayor said on Monday. The victims were killed in an attack on Sunday night in Kenscoff, in the hills above Port-au-Prince, Mayor Massillon Jean said, describing a “night of terror”. Some people remained missing.
The attack targeted a community already uprooted by the violence that has gripped the capital and its surroundings. Kenscoff, a mountainous area overlooking Port-au-Prince, had become a refuge for families fleeing gang warfare in the city below. The church, a place of sanctuary for the displaced, turned into the scene of a massacre.
Mayor Jean did not specify which gang was responsible or provide further details about the victims. The death toll of around 40 was given by the mayor, who said some people were still unaccounted for. The attack underscores the expanding reach of armed groups beyond the capital’s urban core into the hills where many have sought safety.
Haiti has been in the grip of a severe security crisis for years, with gangs controlling large parts of Port-au-Prince and increasingly moving into surrounding areas. The displacement of hundreds of thousands of people has become a defining feature of the crisis, with many forced to shelter in churches, schools, and makeshift camps. These sites, often lacking protection, have repeatedly come under attack.
The church attack in Kenscoff is among the deadliest incidents involving displaced people in recent months. It highlights the vulnerability of those who have already fled violence only to be targeted again in their places of refuge. The international community has repeatedly called for action to address the crisis, but the situation on the ground remains dire.
Local authorities and humanitarian organizations have struggled to provide security and aid to the displaced population. The mayor’s account of the “night of terror” paints a picture of chaos and fear, with families caught in the crossfire of gang operations. The missing persons add to the anguish of the survivors, who now face the task of burying the dead and searching for loved ones.
The attack also raises questions about the effectiveness of the security measures in place to protect vulnerable communities. Despite the presence of international missions and local police efforts, gangs continue to operate with impunity in many parts of the country. The hills of Kenscoff, once considered a safer alternative to the capital, have now been drawn into the conflict.
As Haiti continues to grapple with political instability and humanitarian needs, incidents like this one serve as a stark reminder of the human cost of the crisis. The church, a symbol of refuge and faith, has become another site of tragedy in a country overwhelmed by violence.
