AT LEAST 47 people were killed and more than 50 others kidnapped when armed men attacked a once-peaceful community near Haiti’s capital Port-au-Prince earlier this week, the United Nations said.

It is believed to be one of the largest mass kidnappings in the country in recent years, and one armed group leader is threatening to kill the hostages if authorities kill any members of his group as they try to secure the community of Kenscoff.

“This is a major political and security test, for the government, for the police and for the international mission,” said Romain Le Cour, head of the Haiti Observatory at the Global Initiative Against Transnational Organised Crime.

“If forces don’t act, they’ve failed to protect them; if they do and hostages die, the gangs will blame the state.”

Kenscoff resident Marc Paul said his brother, stepmother, stepfather and two cousins were all kidnapped. He said his niece was also kidnapped and raped but managed to escape.

“I had to run over bodies,” he said as he recalled how he fled the attack. “I can’t sleep knowing all these people died.”

In a video posted on social media, the armed group leader, who identified himself as Izo 2, said: “If any of our soldiers are hurt, I will kill all of them,” referring to the hostages.