'Please pray for us!! We are being held hostage': 16 American missionaries and their children, plus a Canadian citizen, are kidnapped by armed gang members in Haiti as abductee sends a secret WhatsApp message during abduction
- A group of Christian missionaries and their family members were kidnapped by the 400 Mawozo gang on Saturday in La Trembley area of Port-au-Prince, Haiti
- Officials say the group — which includes 16 Americans, a Canadian and several children — were kidnapped while leaving an orphanage in Croix des Bouquets
- The missionaries were abducted from a bus headed to the airport near Carrefour Boen and La Tremblay 17 on the road to Ganthier
- One of the abductees sent a voice message via WhatsApp saying: 'Please pray for us!! We are being held hostage. We don't know where they are taking us'
- The US government is aware of the kidnapping reports and officials at the American embassy are reportedly 'working to see what can be done'
- 400 Mawozo also kidnapped another group of Christian worshippers who were travelling to Ganthier in April, keeping them hostage for almost three weeks
- A surge in gang violence has displaced thousands and hampered economic activity in the poorest country in the Americas
- Violence spiraled after the assassination of President Jovenel Moïse in July
By NATASHA ANDERSON FOR DAILYMAIL.COM
