Dozens killed in overnight gang raid near Haiti's capital

A fresh overnight gang attack in Kenscoff, a hillside community overlooking Haiti's capital Port-au-Prince, has left dozens dead and others injured. The raid began on Monday evening near the local police station, according to the supplied report, and has intensified anger among residents over security failures. People in the area are now demanding that the local police chief step down.

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The report says 47 people were killed and 22 injured in the attack, although a Haitian rights group estimated the toll at between 30 and 40 dead and 15 to 20 wounded. The group said it was difficult to confirm a complete count in the aftermath of the violence. Residents said the assault began at about 10:30 pm local time and that officers were unable to protect people killed just minutes from the police station.

The Haitian government condemned what it called a heinous attack and promised to reinforce security. The prime minister's office said on social media that Kenscoff would not be abandoned and that the government's authority would be restored without weakness and without delay. Residents, however, said the response had been too slow and blamed the authorities for failing to prevent the killings.

Some said several dozen police tried to repel the armed men during the night and that some officers were injured. The attack adds to a wider security crisis in and around Port-au-Prince, where armed gangs have repeatedly targeted neighbourhoods and displaced large numbers of people. Kenscoff has suffered a dozen attacks by armed gangs since last year, forcing thousands to flee their homes.

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The report also says that in attacks in early 2025, more than 260 people were killed, 200 homes were destroyed or burned, and about 3,000 people were forced to leave. The violence also highlights the limited reach of Haiti's security forces and the scale of the challenge facing the UN-backed Gang Suppression Force, which is intended to help Haitian police fight gangs and is planned to grow to more than 5,500 troops. The latest raid included reports of arson, kidnapping, rape and livestock theft in the broader pattern of attacks on Kenscoff since last year.

Local media also reported that several houses were set on fire during the overnight assault. What remains unclear is the final death toll, the full extent of injuries and damage, and whether any arrests were made. It is also not yet clear how quickly additional security forces can be deployed to the area or whether the police chief will respond to residents' demands to resign.

The situation in Kenscoff is likely to remain under close watch as authorities try to reassert control and residents assess whether they can safely stay in the area.

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