At least 30 dead as gangs unleash ‘night of terror’ in Haiti’s Kenscoff
Key Points(5)
- At least 30 people were killed in Haiti’s hillside community of Kenscoff on Sunday night in an attack blamed on a coalition of criminal gangs led by Viv Ansanm, as the country continues to grapple with escalating gang violence.
- The Office of the Prime Minister condemned what it described as a “heinous attack” and said security forces had been placed on high alert, with reinforcements being deployed to the area overlooking the capital, Port-au-Prince.
- Videos circulating on social media appeared to show the aftermath of the violence, including bodies lying in pools of blood.
- The attackers also targeted a church where people who had already fled gang violence were sheltering.
- “They entered many homes and killed people; they also sequestered and kidnapped many others.
At least 30 people were killed in Haiti’s hillside community of Kenscoff on Sunday night in an attack blamed on a coalition of criminal gangs led by Viv Ansanm, as the country continues to grapple with escalating gang violence.
The Office of the Prime Minister condemned what it described as a “heinous attack” and said security forces had been placed on high alert, with reinforcements being deployed to the area overlooking the capital, Port-au-Prince.
“Kenscoff will not be abandoned,” the office said in a statement, adding that “the government’s authority will be restored, without weakness and without delay, throughout all of Kenscoff.”
Kenscoff Mayor Jean Massillon described the assault as “a night of terror,” as reports emerged of gang members storming the town center, attacking residents and setting fire to homes and vehicles.
Videos circulating on social media appeared to show the aftermath of the violence, including bodies lying in pools of blood.
The attackers also targeted a church where people who had already fled gang violence were sheltering.
“They entered many homes and killed people; they also sequestered and kidnapped many others. A lot of people called us and said they had relatives who were killed. Some people said they saw more than 40 dead along the route, but we can’t confirm that yet,” Massillon said.
He said his cousin, who works as a member of his security staff, was among those missing following the attack.
“We’re looking for him, trying to retrace his steps. We tried calling him, but couldn’t find him. We don’t know if he’s been kidnapped or killed.”
Haitian human rights group RNDDH estimated that between 30 and 40 people were killed in the overnight attack, while another 15 to 20 were wounded.
The latest violence comes as Haiti struggles to contain armed gangs that have expanded their control and launched increasingly deadly attacks in and around Port-au-Prince.
According to data from the United Nations Integrated Office in Haiti, or BINUH, at least 1,642 people were killed and 745 injured as a result of violence during the first three months of 2026.
