As many as 17 American Christian missionaries and their households, together with youngsters, have been kidnapped on Saturday by gang members in Haiti’s capital of Port-au-Prince, U.S. media reported.
The kidnapping occurred after the missionaries left an orphanage within the crisis-engulfed Caribbean nation, the New York Occasions mentioned.
The Washington Put up reported that an audio from the Ohio-based Christian Help Ministries mentioned “males, ladies and kids” related to the group have been being held by an armed gang.
“The mission subject director and the American embassy are working to see what will be completed,” the audio was quoted as saying. “Pray that the gang members will come to repentance and religion in Jesus Christ.”
The victims included 14 adults and three minors, CNN mentioned, citing an unnamed supply in Haiti’s safety forces.
They have been touring to Titanyen after visiting the orphanage within the Croix des Bouquets space, CNN mentioned. The Occasions, citing native officers, mentioned the missionaries have been taken from a bus headed to the airport to drop off some members of the group earlier than persevering with to a different vacation spot in Haiti.
The U.S. State Division is conscious of the reviews, a spokesperson instructed Reuters however didn’t supply particulars. “The welfare and security of U.S. residents overseas is likely one of the highest priorities of the Division of State,” the spokesperson mentioned in an electronic mail.
The U.S. Embassy in Haiti didn’t reply to a request for remark exterior enterprise hours. A spokeswoman for the Haitian police mentioned she was in search of data on the difficulty.
Christian Help Ministries didn’t instantly reply to a request for remark.
A surge in gang violence has displaced hundreds and hampered financial exercise within the poorest nation within the Americas. Violence spiraled after the assassination of President Jovenel Moise in July and an earthquake in August which killed over 2,000 folks.
(Reuters)