A group of US and Canadian missionaries were abducted by the 400 Mawozo.

Over the weekend, a group of missionaries from the Christian Aid Ministries were confirmed to be abducted by the 400 Mawozo, one of the most notorious gangs in Haiti. The kidnapped include multiple US citizens, one Canadian citizen, and at least five children. The group was abducted on Saturday during a visit to an orphanage in the capital of Port-au-Prince.

A group of 17 US missionaries including children have been kidnapped in Haiti, according to a voice message sent to various religious missions by an organization with direct knowledge of the incident.https://t.co/AjYs0EYkts

— Al Arabiya English (@AlArabiya_Eng) October 17, 2021

“Join us in praying for those who are being held hostage, the kidnappers, and the families, friends, and churches of those affected,” Christian Aid Ministries said in the statement.

A group of missionaries consisting of 16 US citizens and one Canadian has been kidnapped by a gang in Haiti. https://t.co/XQTvMJ97Qn

— DW News (@dwnews) October 17, 2021

According to a senior State Department official that spoke with NBC News, “We are engaging with Haitian authorities at the senior most levels.” An additional spokesperson added that “the welfare and safety of US citizens abroad” was one of their highest priorities.

Criminal activity in Port-au-Prince has been worsening in recent years. “The gangs run Port-au-Prince. It is in their control,” Ambassador Daniel Foote, former Special Envoy to Haiti, told NBC.

“When we hear there has been a kidnapping… people don’t go out in the streets,” Charles Pierre, a local taxi driver, told The Associated Press.