Daily US Times: A group of US missionaries and their family members are reported to have been kidnapped by an armed gang near Haiti’s Port-au-Prince.
Haitian security sources have told news media at least 15 people, including children, were taken off a bus after visiting an orphanage,
Few details are known about the kidnap, but US officials said they were aware of the reports.
Haiti has one of the highest rates of kidnapping in the world, as powerful gangs take advantage the lawless situation to make money from ransom payments.
Since the murder of President Jovenel Moïse in July, rival groups have been trying to gain control and the lack of security has intensified the daily struggle to survive of many Haitians.
The Christian missionaries were kidnapped shortly after leaving the town of Croix-des-Bouquets and continue to be held by the gang, AFP news agency reported quoting a security source.
The National Police and Haitian Justice Ministry have not commented.
Washington is yet to provide any information on the incident, but the US state department told AFP news agency it had seen the reports and that the safety of American citizens abroad was one of its highest priorities.
US-based organization Christian Aid Ministries sent a voice message to religious groups in Haiti as a “special prayer alert”, the Associated Press reported.
The message said the group was working with the US embassy in the country to “see what could be done” to help the abducted people.
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