Seventeen Missionaries from U.S. and Canada Kidnapped in Haiti

Seventeen missionaries from the United States and Canada some of which were minors were kidnapped in Haiti on Saturday. According to a statement released by the Christian Aid Ministries “the group of sixteen U.S. citizens and one Canadian citizen includes five men, seven women, and five children,” and added “we are seeking God’s direction for a resolution, and authorities are seeking ways to help”

According to a source with Haiti’s Security Forces who said the kidnappers were local gang members the investigation is ongoing and Haitian officials are in touch with the U.S. State Department about the kidnapping. The incident happened as the missionaries were traveling by vehicle on Saturday to Titanyen after visiting an orphanage. Some were able to contact the organization’s local director before being taken. The kidnappers have also made contact with the organization.