Gang attack in Kenscoff, Haiti, results in dozens of fatalities

At least 47 people have been killed following a violent attack by a gang coalition on the town of Kenscoff, located in the hills near the Haitian capital, Port-au-Prince. The incident, which took place between Sunday night and Monday, August 24-25, 2026, involved members of the 'Viv Ansanm' gang coalition infiltrating a camp for displaced persons housed at a local church. Perpetrators reportedly set fire to homes, executed residents, and kidnapped several individuals during a prolonged night of violence.

Local mayor Jean Massillon initially reported approximately 30 to 40 deaths, while updated figures from the United Nations now place the death toll at 47. In response to the massacre, the office of interim Prime Minister Alix Didier Fils-Aime issued a statement of condolence, promising that the government would not abandon the community and has dispatched reinforcements to restore security. Investigations are ongoing, with officials acknowledging that several individuals remain missing.

Kenscoff, situated at an altitude of 2,000 meters, has been a frequent site of gang conflict over the past two years as criminal groups struggle for territorial control. Ongoing violence in the region has led to widespread human rights abuses, including mass displacements, rapes, and kidnappings, forcing thousands of residents to flee their homes.