At least 40 people have been killed following an attack by criminal gangs in Haiti

An armed attack carried out by armed criminal gangs in Kenscoff, Haiti, has resulted in the death of at least 42 people, according to local media reports. The incident occurred on Monday night in the town located 10 kilometers south of the capital Port-au-Prince, and the death toll varies between 20 and 47, depending on the source.

Gang members attacked the town center, setting homes on fire and damaging a church. The police managed to restore order in the area. The transitional government confirmed the attack, describing it as a "heinous criminal attack" and placed law enforcement forces on maximum alert. Haiti, the poorest country in the Americas, is facing a precarious security situation, with gangs controlling over 80% of the capital.

UN data indicates that these groups have killed approximately 2,300 people in the first five months of the year. Elections are scheduled for December 13, marking the first vote since 2016.