An Irish woman is among eight people who were kidnapped from an orphanage near the Haitian capital of Port-au-Prince.
The Department of Foreign Affairs said it is aware of the incident and is providing consular assistance.
Gena Heraty, a native of Westport in Co Mayo, oversees the Sainte-Helene orphanage in the commune of Kenscoff, about 10km southeast of the capital.
The facility is operated by the humanitarian organisation “Nos Petits Freres et Soeurs” (“Our Little Brothers and Sisters”).
Ms Heraty was among seven staff taken, as well as a child, according to Kenscoff Mayor Masillon Jean.
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The group’s Irish branch NPH Ireland said in a statement it was aware of the incident and that their thoughts were with the eight people involved.
“Seven staff members of NPH International including Gena Heraty and one youth were taken from the premises in an incident that remains under assessment,” it said.
It added: “Given the evolving nature of this situation, we are withholding further comment until more details are confirmed.
“We ask for discretion and patience as we manage this sensitive matter.
“Our thoughts are with the eight individuals, and we remain hopeful for their safe return”.
In April 2021, two French priests were among ten people kidnapped in Croix des Bouquets before they were released nearly three weeks later.
The same group behind that kidnapping, the “400 Mawazo” gang, took a group of 17 American and Canadian missionaries hostage six months later.
Since the start of this year, Kenscoff has found itself in the crosshairs of the “Viv Ansanm” (“Living Together”) gang, which has already taken control of several other localities.
The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights said at least 3,141 people have been killed in Haiti in the first half of this year, where the growing impact of gang violence threatens to further destabilise the nation.