At least 47 people have been killed and more than 50 others abducted after armed gangs launched a major attack on a community near Haiti’s capital, Port-au-Prince, according to the United Nations.

The assault occurred Sunday in Kenscoff, a mountainous community overlooking the capital that had previously been considered relatively peaceful. The mass abduction is believed to be one of the largest recorded in Haiti in recent years.

The attack has renewed concerns about Haiti’s security crisis and challenged recent hopes that authorities were beginning to make progress against heavily armed gangs.

A gang leader has reportedly threatened to kill the hostages if security forces kill any gang members during operations to regain control of the area.

Romain Le Cour, head of the Haiti Observatory at the Global Initiative Against Transnational Organized Crime, described the crisis as a major test for Haiti’s government, national police and international security mission.

Le Cour said the threat against the hostages puts authorities in an extremely difficult position: failing to intervene could be seen as abandoning those abducted, while a security operation that results in hostage deaths could allow gangs to blame the government.

Residents have described scenes of widespread violence and devastation.

Kenscoff resident Marc Paul, 42, said his brother, stepmother, stepfather and two cousins were among those kidnapped. He said his 16-year-old niece was also abducted and sexually assaulted before managing to escape and reunite with him.

“I had to run over bodies,” Paul said while describing his escape from the attack. “I can’t sleep knowing all these people died.”

Paul said his family had already been displaced after losing their home during another gang attack in January 2025, but described Sunday’s violence as far more severe.

The attack underscores the continuing threat posed by armed gangs in Haiti as authorities struggle to restore security and protect communities in and around Port-au-Prince.