- At least 47 people were killed in a gang attack in Kenscoff, Haiti
- Residents blamed security failures and demanded urgent reforms
- The UN said 22 others were injured in the overnight raid
At least 47 people were killed and another 22 injured in an overnight attack by armed gangs in Kenscoff, a community overlooking Haiti’s capital, Port-au-Prince, the United Nations said on Monday.
Eko Hot Blog gathered that the UN Integrated Office in Haiti said the figures were preliminary and could change as authorities continue to assess the extent of the violence.
Kenscoff, which occupies a strategic position along routes leading into the capital, has experienced repeated attacks by armed groups since last year. The violence has forced thousands of residents to abandon their homes.
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Haiti’s powerful gangs have expanded their control beyond Port-au-Prince despite efforts by international partners to strengthen the country’s heavily outmatched security forces.
The Haitian human rights organisation RNDDH gave a lower preliminary estimate, saying between 30 and 40 people may have been killed, while another 15 to 20 were injured. It said determining the exact number of casualties remained difficult.
The attack reportedly began at about 10:30 p.m. local time. Residents expressed anger over the response of security authorities, with some calling for the local police chief to resign.
They questioned how the attackers were able to kill residents so close to a police station without being stopped.
The Haitian government condemned the incident as a “heinous attack” and promised to strengthen security in Kenscoff. The prime minister’s office also pledged to restore government control over the area.
Kenscoff has endured a prolonged wave of violence. UN estimates indicate that attacks during the first two months of 2025 left more than 260 people dead, destroyed or burned about 200 homes and displaced roughly 3,000 residents.
Since then, the area has experienced further attacks involving kidnappings, arson, sexual violence and livestock theft.
Residents said police officers confronted the armed groups during the latest attack, with some officers reportedly sustaining injuries. They also said they did not see gang members among those killed.
Several homes were reportedly set ablaze, including the residence of Jean William Pape, a prominent public health specialist.
Haiti’s national police chief, Vladimir Paraison, visited Kenscoff after the attack and defended the actions of officers, saying the police continued fighting despite the difficult circumstances.
The community is strategically important because it overlooks routes towards Pétion-Ville, an area that hosts several diplomatic missions, luxury hotels and the temporary seat of Haiti’s government. It also sits near a major road connecting Port-au-Prince with southern parts of the country.
The latest violence has also raised concerns about Haiti’s plans to hold presidential and legislative elections in December. The country has not held a national election in a decade, with repeated postponements linked partly to the growing influence of armed gangs.
A UN-backed Gang Suppression Force is expected to expand to more than 5,500 personnel later this year to support Haitian police operations against armed groups. It was not immediately clear whether the force would deploy additional personnel to Kenscoff following the latest attack.
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