PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti — Hundreds gathered at a church in the farming community of Kenscoff on Sunday to hold funerals for four of the 47 victims killed during a violent gang attack that shocked the nation. The assault, which occurred on the night of August 23, also resulted in the kidnapping of more than 50 people, marking one of the largest mass abductions in recent Haitian history.

Inside the packed church, mourners expressed grief through tears, prayer, and gospel music as coffins were brought in for a mother, father, their son, and a 70-year-old man who was reportedly set on fire by the attackers. Many others who could not fit into the building stood outside, looking in through the windows to pay their respects.

“We thank everyone who came in solidarity with the families that died and those who lost their loved ones,” said Pastor Jean Robert Dorlus at the service. He added that he hoped for peace and solace for those affected.

The attack in Kenscoff, a town near Port-au-Prince, has fueled public anger and raised questions about the security situation in a country long plagued by gang violence. Survivors have criticized the police for failing to prevent the assault, arguing that authorities did not act swiftly enough to stop the attackers. “They didn’t act in time to stop the carnage,” said Kenscoff resident Yvon Marleus, who lost a cousin in the violence. “These are people who are respected in the community.”

Haiti’s National Police have announced an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the attack, including whether any complicity or negligence played a role. The agency has yet to release detailed findings.

In an effort to prevent further violence, armed civilians stood guard outside the church alongside police forces during the funeral. Residents of Kenscoff remain on alert given the ongoing threat posed by armed gangs operating in the area.

Jean Calixte Juste, a Kenscoff local who survived the assault along with two cousins, described the incident as the worst night of his life. “I almost died,” he recalled. “I almost fell into a ravine running. This is the worst and most terrible night I’ve ever experienced.”

The grieving community and Haitian authorities now face the urgent challenge of addressing the security vacuum that enabled such a deadly attack, as the survivors and families of the victims seek justice and protection from further violence.