Gang members kidnap 17 US missionaries, members of the family in Haiti: Report

Gang members kidnapped 17 American Christian missionaries and their households, together with kids, in Haiti’s capital, in line with media reviews. A surge in gang violence has displaced 1000’s and hampered financial exercise within the poorest nation within the Americas (Photo: AFP)As many as 17 American Christian missionaries and their households, together with kids, had been kidnapped on Saturday by gang members in Haiti’s capital of Port-au-Prince, US media reported.

The kidnapping occurred after the missionaries left an orphanage within the crisis-engulfed Caribbean nation, the New York Times and CNN stated.The Washington Post reported that an audio from the Ohio-based Christian Aid Ministries stated: “men, women and children” related to the group had been being held by an armed gang.“The mission field director and the American embassy are working to see what can be done,” the audio was quoted as saying. “Pray that the gang members will come to repentance and faith in Jesus Christ.”The victims included 14 adults and three minors, CNN stated, citing an unnamed supply in Haiti’s safety forces.They had been travelling to Titanyen after visiting the orphanage within the Croix des Bouquets space, CNN stated. The Times, citing native officers, stated the missionaries had 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 US State Department is conscious of the reviews, a spokesperson informed Reuters however didn’t supply particulars. “The welfare and safety of US citizens abroad is one of the highest priorities of the Department of State,” the spokesperson stated in an e-mail.The US Embassy in Haiti didn’t reply to a request for remark exterior enterprise hours. A spokeswoman for the Haitian police stated she was in search of info on the problem.Christian Aid Ministries didn’t instantly reply to a request for remark.A surge in gang violence has displaced 1000’s and hampered financial exercise within the poorest nation within the Americas. Violence spiralled after the assassination of President Jovenel Moise in July and an earthquake in August which killed over 2,000 individuals.Read | Girl out on morning stroll with 3 siblings kidnapped in Greater NoidaRead | Nigeria gunmen kidnap 73 college students from highschool in northwestClick right here for IndiaToday.in’s full protection of the coronavirus pandemic.