China News Service, October 17th. According to several foreign media reports, personnel from the Haitian security department revealed that as many as 17 American missionaries and their family members may have been kidnapped by armed groups in Haiti on the 16th local time.
According to reports, a armed criminal group in Haiti kidnapped "17 American Christian missionaries and their family members, including women and children."
There may be 14 adults and 3 minors.
The missionaries were allegedly kidnapped on a bus bound for the airport after visiting an orphanage.
The US "Washington Post" stated that one of the missionaries who was suspected of being kidnapped sent a message via social media that the driver of the vehicle where the missionaries were located was controlled by an armed group, and it is currently unknown where the group will take them.
According to CNN, the U.S. State Department is said to have been aware of the incident. A spokesperson said that the safety of American citizens overseas is "the State Department's highest priority."
The US Embassy in Haiti has been informed and will study what actions can be taken.
The "New York Times" of the United States pointed out that Haiti has been "in a state of political turmoil" for many years. Kidnapping of the rich or the poor is common in the country.
Nevertheless, the abduction of so many Americans shocked the officials.