40 Death, Haiti Gang Attack Death Toll Rises to 47: Displaced People Targeted in Kenscoff Near Port-au-Prince

A devastating gang attack in Kenscoff, near Haiti’s capital Port-au-Prince, has killed at least 47 people, according to the United Nations, with 22 others reported injured and more than 50 people kidnapped during the violence.

The attack, which unfolded overnight between Sunday and Monday, August 23–24, 2026, struck a community already heavily affected by Haiti’s continuing gang violence and displacement crisis.

Displaced people targeted in church shelter

One of the most devastating aspects of the attack was the reported targeting of people who had already been forced from their homes.

Kenscoff Mayor Massillon Jean told AFP that armed attackers entered a camp for displaced people located inside a church. He initially reported that around 40 bodies had been counted, while searches continued for people who remained missing.

The mayor described the violence as a “night of terror”, saying that people were killed, others were wounded and some were abducted.

Early reports put the death toll at approximately 30 to 40, but the figure subsequently increased. The United Nations later reported that at least 47 people had been killed and 22 injured. More than 50 people were also reportedly kidnapped.

Kenscoff community devastated by violence

Kenscoff is a mountainous community overlooking Port-au-Prince that has experienced repeated attacks by armed groups.

The latest assault reportedly involved killings, kidnappings and the burning of homes. Residents described finding relatives and neighbors among the victims after the attackers withdrew.

The violence has intensified fears among civilians who have already been displaced from other parts of Haiti. The country is facing a severe humanitarian crisis, with large numbers of people forced from their homes by armed groups.

The United Nations has reported that approximately 1.5 million people have been displaced in Haiti, illustrating the enormous scale of the crisis.

Families search for missing relatives

The confirmed death toll may not represent the final number of victims.

Authorities and local residents have continued efforts to establish what happened and identify those who were killed. Families have also been searching for relatives who disappeared during the attack.

The reported kidnapping of more than 50 people has added another dimension to the crisis. AP reported that the attack is believed to represent one of Haiti’s largest mass kidnappings in recent years.

For survivors and families, the immediate aftermath has been marked by grief, uncertainty and fear.

Haiti faces continuing gang violence

The Kenscoff attack is part of a broader deterioration in security across Haiti. Armed groups have expanded their influence around Port-au-Prince and surrounding communities, leaving civilians vulnerable to killings, kidnappings, arson and forced displacement.

Kenscoff has experienced repeated attacks since 2025, and the latest violence has prompted renewed criticism of the government’s ability to protect residents.

The attack has also raised concerns about Haiti’s political future as the country prepares for elections amid continuing insecurity.

Victims remembered as investigation continues

For families affected by the Kenscoff attack, the numbers represent individual parents, children, relatives, friends and neighbors whose lives were abruptly taken or disrupted.

As authorities continue documenting the casualties and searching for missing people, the final toll may change.

The victims of the Kenscoff violence will be remembered by their families and communities, while survivors face the difficult task of rebuilding their lives after another devastating episode of violence.

Disclaimer: This report reflects information available on August 25, 2026. The casualty figures and circumstances surrounding the Kenscoff attack remain subject to official updates as authorities and international organizations continue documenting the incident. No individual victim should be identified or attributed to the attack without reliable confirmation.