Irish missionary and child, 3, among nine kidnapped from Haiti orphanage

Three adults and six children were abducted from the orphanage in Haiti

The kidnapping of nine individuals, including an Irish missionary and a child aged three, was reportedly carried out by a gang in Haiti on Sunday (4 August). According to a press release from Christian Aid Mission, the group, consisting of three adults and six children, were abducted from a orphanage in Haiti's capital, Port-au-Prince.

The missionary was identified as Irishman Andrew Allen

The abduction comes less than two weeks after a deadly attack on an orphanage in the town of Ganthier, southeast of the capital, killed at least 14 people.

The press release said the group, which also included six children, were taken to an undisclosed location and were not harmed. "The victims included a male missionary, a female missionary, and several of their children," the release said. "They were on their way back from visiting missionaries in a nearby community when they were abducted."

The missionary was identified as Irishman Andrew Allen, who had been working with his wife and children at the orphanage in Port-au-Prince, the press release added. The identity of the victims has not been disclosed.

Increasing violence in the region

The rise in gang violence has prompted a state of emergency in Haiti, with the US government recently issuing a "do not travel" advisory for the Caribbean nation.

The press release called for prayers for the group's safe release, and for the Haitian people who have suffered greatly from the rising gang violence.