The scale of a horrific gang attack near Haiti’s capital is now significantly worse than initially reported.

The United Nations says at least 47 people were killed, 22 injured and more than 50 others kidnapped during the assault on Kenscoff, a mountainous community overlooking Port-au-Prince.

The mass kidnapping is now being described as one of the largest in Haiti in recent years.

Among those killed were five children, according to the latest reporting. Twenty-two victims were reportedly executed inside a church compound where displaced residents had sought refuge.

Homes were also set on fire during the attack, with at least 25 houses reportedly burned.

More Than 50 People Now Being Held Hostage

The kidnapping has transformed what was already a devastating massacre into an ongoing hostage crisis.

The United Nations says more than 50 people were abducted during the attack. A gang leader known as “Izo 2” has reportedly threatened to execute the hostages if police kill members of his group.

That means the final human toll from the attack could still increase.

Haitian authorities have deployed specialized police units to Kenscoff as security forces attempt to regain control of the area and locate those who were abducted.

Why Kenscoff Matters

Kenscoff was once considered relatively peaceful compared with many parts of Port-au-Prince, but its location has made it increasingly important to armed groups.

The mountainous area overlooks the capital and sits near routes that can provide gangs with strategic access around Port-au-Prince.

Kenscoff has experienced repeated attacks as gangs expand beyond their traditional strongholds.

The latest massacre is another indication that Haiti’s security crisis is no longer confined to neighbourhoods historically controlled by gangs.

Haiti’s Gang Crisis Continues to Spread

Approximately 1.5 million people have now been displaced by violence in Haiti, while armed groups continue to control large portions of the capital and expand into surrounding communities.

The attack also comes at an extremely sensitive moment for the country.

Haiti is preparing for elections scheduled for December, which would be the country’s first general elections in more than a decade. Continued gang violence is raising serious questions about whether voting can safely take place across the country.

International efforts to restore security are continuing, including the expansion of a UN-backed security force intended to support Haitian police.

But for residents of Kenscoff, the latest attack demonstrates just how vulnerable communities remain.

What initially emerged as news of a massacre that killed 47 people has now become something even more alarming: dozens of people remain in the hands of armed gangs, with threats being made against their lives.