On Saturday, heavily armed men from the "400 mawozo" gang hijacked a bus heading to Toussaint Louverture International Airport on the road to Ganthier, taking hostage 17 American missionaries from a Christian religious organization located in Ohio, as well as members of their family including children. It was, for some of these missionaries of their first trip to Haiti. The missionaries were returning from a visit to an orphanage and would drop off several of their members at the airport before continuing their tour. Information confirmed by Haitian police authorities

It was not known on Saturday evening whether a ransom demand had been made by the kidnappers.

Responding to the kidnapping, a US government spokesperson told Agence France Presse, "The well-being and safety of US citizens abroad is one of our top priorities at the State Department. We are aware of this information and have nothing to add at this time."

To be continued...

SL/ HaitiLibre