PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti — The remaining hostages who were kidnapped by a gang in Haiti two months ago have been released, Haitian police spokesman Gary Desrosiers said Thursday.
He gave no immediate details.
The 400 Mawozo gang kidnapped 17 members of the group from Ohio-based Christian Aid Ministries on Oct. 16 while walking home from an orphanage. Five of the hostages had been freed in earlier releases.
“We glorify God for answered prayer — the remaining twelve hostages are FREE! Join us in praising God that all 17 of our loved ones are now safe,” Christian Aid Ministries wrote in a statement Thursday. “Thank you for your fervent prayers throughout the past two months. We hope to provide more information as we are able.”
There were five children in the group of 16 U.S. citizens and one Canadian. Their physical condition and the circumstances surrounding their release are unknown.
The leader of the 400 Mawozo gang had threatened to kill the hostages unless his demands were met. Authorities had said the gang was demanding $1 million per person, although it wasn’t immediately clear that included the children in the group.
The release comes as Haiti struggles with a spike in gang-related violence and kidnappings, with the U.S. government recently urging U.S. citizens to leave Haiti.
Christian Aid Ministries said it hopes to provide more details Thursday afternoon.
This story will be updated as more information becomes available.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
