Gang Massacre In Formerly Safe Haitian Town Kills At Least 47
Gangs killed at least 47 people in Kenscoff from Sunday night into Monday morning, August 23-24, 2026, in a rampage that has raised fears of expansion toward nearby Pétion-Ville.[1]
Attackers arrived on motorbikes around 9:30 p.m. Sunday and carried out killings, arson, rapes and hostage-taking over several hours.[1] The United Nations said 22 victims were executed at a church where they had sought shelter.[1] Kenscoff's mayor, Jean Massillon, gave a preliminary tally of 25 killed and 25 homes burned.[1] He also said a school was partly burned, roughly 10 people were shot and at least 15 people were missing.[1]
The assault marked the first time gangs had reached downtown Kenscoff near the police station, officials said.[1] That proximity raised fears that armed groups could push into neighboring Pétion-Ville, a wealthy suburb of Port-au-Prince.[1]
Local officials and the United Nations called for urgent attention to protect civilians and pursue the attackers.[1]
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📌 Key Facts
- UN said gangs killed at least 47 people in Kenscoff from Sunday night into Monday morning, August 23–24, 2026
- UN reported 22 victims were executed at a church where they had sought shelter
- Mayor Jean Massillon’s preliminary tally listed 25 killed, 25 homes burned, a school partly burned, roughly 10 gunshot victims and at least 15 people missing
- Attackers arrived on motorbikes around 9:30 p.m. Sunday and carried out killings, arson, rapes and hostage-taking over several hours
- This was the first time gangs had reached downtown Kenscoff near the police station, raising fears of encroachment on nearby Pétion-Ville
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