As many as 17 American missionaries were reportedly abducted by gang members in Haiti on Saturday, including 14 adults and three family members who are minors. this reports CNN citing a source from the Haitian security forces.
According to the report, the investigation is ongoing. So far, only sparse details are known about the incident. Further information should be available on Sunday morning local time.
The missionaries were on their way to Titanyen, north of the capital, Port-au-Prince, by bus on Saturday. They had previously visited an orphanage in the Croix des Bouquets region. They were kidnapped on the way between the two places.
Sharp increase since the President’s assassination
The Haitian Justice Department and police have not yet commented on the kidnapping at CNN’s request. A US State Department spokesman said he was familiar with the reports. “The well-being and safety of US citizens abroad is one of the State Department’s top priorities,” the spokesman was quoted as saying. At the moment, however, nothing more can be said about it.
The number of kidnappings in Haiti skyrocketed in 2021 and has increased by nearly 300 percent since the assassination of President Jovenel Moïse in July. According to the Center for Analysis and Research in Human Rights, a non-profit organization based in Port-au-Prince, at least 628 people, including 29 foreigners, have been kidnapped since January. (noo)