France, Aug. 27 -- In a video released following the attack, which took place on Sunday night, gang leader Izo 2 threatened to kill the hostages if security forces launched an operation.

Many residents of Kenscoff do not know whether their kidnapped relatives are still alive.

"In my family, I am the only one who was lucky enough to be saved," one 19-year-old man told RFI. "My mother, my sisters, my brothers, are all in the hands of the bandits. They've been kidnapped. There were nine of us in the house when the attack happened."

Police battle to reclaim Port-au-Prince from gangs

The young man has lived in fear ever since. He says he has lost everything and is now worried about his education. He is calling on the authorities to do ever...