US missionaries made midnight escape from Haiti gang and walked for hours before finding help

In total, 17 people were kidnapped; all are now free

Headquarters of Christian Aid Ministries in Haiti’s capital (Copyright 2021 The Associated Press. All rights reserved)

A dozen kidnapped missionaries, including several minors, reportedly made a daring night escape from gang members in Haiti before being picked up by US authorities.

The head of the charity group Christian Aid Ministries, which sent the team to Haiti to visit an orphanage, confirmed to CBS News on Monday that the kidnapped Americans and one Canadian walked for hours before finding a way to get in contact with US officials and reach safety.

According to the charity group, the 12 members made the overnight escape and were not rescued by US authorities until hours later, with the group’s spokesman claiming that the adults used the stars to navigate from where they were being held northeast of Haiti’s capital to safety.

"After a number of hours of walking, day began to dawn and they eventually found someone who helped to make a phone call for help,"a spokesperson for the group told CBS News, adding: "They were finally free."

“We welcome reports that they are free and getting the care that they need after their ordeal,” principal deputy White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre told reporters on Thursday. “The U.S. government has been working tirelessly over the past two months to get them released.”

A State Department spokesperson declined to comment further on the release of the individuals.

Five hostages were released by the group last week, but it’s unclear if Christian Aid Ministries or any other group paid ransom for their safe return. The group was believed to be held captive by the notorious 400 Mawozo, a gang based in Haiti that has taken advantage of political and economic instability across the island nation.

Christian Aid Ministries said in a statement last week that the charity was not able to “provide the names of the people released, the circumstances of the release, or any other details” including whether any ransom was paid.