HAITI’S National Police is facing mounting criticism over its failure to prevent a gang attack in Kenscoff that killed 47 people and led to more than 50 kidnappings.

Police spokesperson Garry Desrosiers declined to answer questions on plans to free the hostages or on intelligence gathered before Sunday’s attack, saying only that authorities “have been working on gathering intelligence.”

One gang leader has threatened to execute hostages if any gang members are killed.

More than 2,600 people were displaced by the attack, according to the UN.

National Police head Vladimir Paraison said an investigation was under way into whether the attack resulted from “complicity or negligence.”

The violence came despite security operations having reduced conflict in Kenscoff by 66 per cent between January and August, according to the Armed Conflict Location and Event Data project.

As Haiti reels from the attack, the US deported dozens more people to the country on Thursday, landing in Cap-Haitien as Port-au-Prince’s airport remains too dangerous to use.

Haitian Bridge Alliance director Guerline Jozef said: “We are deeply concerned about the safety of Haitians in Haiti and those being returned to a country where the government cannot currently guarantee their protection.”