A tragic stampede at Citadelle Laferrière in northern Haiti has left at least 30 dead, many of them young, while dozens more have been injured.
The historic site is a popular tourist attraction.
While Emmanuel Menard, the country’s culture minister, confirmed the death, according to AFP, he said: “The injured are currently receiving the necessary medical care and the rescue team is searching for all the missing.” Menard said the fort, which was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1982, will remain closed to visitors until further notice.
According to Jean Henri Petit, head of civil protection for the Nord department, the incident took place on Saturday at the fortress, also known as Citadelle Henry. The 19th century structure was built shortly after Haiti gained independence from France.
Jean Henri Petit told local newspaper Le Nouvelliste that the death toll could rise as many people were still reported missing. The publication also noted that several dozen injured persons were taken to hospitals.
The Prime Minister’s Office is responding
In a statement shared on Facebook, the office of the Haitian prime minister expressed “deep sadness” over the incident, noting that the stampede occurred during a tourism event attended by a large number of young people.
Read also | Murderous gangs are inches away from ruling all of Haiti
The government has also urged the public to remain calm and exercise caution as the investigation continues. He added that all relevant authorities have been fully mobilized and put on high alert to provide immediate assistance, medical care and support to those affected.
“All relevant authorities are fully mobilized and placed on maximum alert to provide the necessary assistance, care and support without delay,” it said in a statement.
Meanwhile, preliminary reports indicated that a heavy crowd had gathered at the single entry point, leading to congestion. The tension reportedly escalated into a scuffle between people trying to enter and those trying to leave the site.
Other local media reports said the rally took place after it was advertised on TikTok. There were also reports of rumors that the local police had used too much tear gas to break up the fight near the citadel, causing people to panic and causing a stampede.
(LiveMint could not independently verify the authenticity of the messages)
The deadly stampede comes as Haiti continues to face widespread gang violence, including attacks on civilians, along with an increasingly forceful response by security forces.
Read also | Gas tanker explodes in Haiti, 16 dead, officials work to rescue burn victims
Considered the poorest in the Western Hemisphere, the country has also been hit hard by rising fuel prices linked to tensions in Iran.
On April 2, the government announced a 37% increase in diesel prices and a 29% increase in gasoline prices.
Read also | Warlord turns to death, rape and rap videos to expand control over Haiti
Rising fuel prices have disrupted essential supply chains, significantly increased transportation costs, and forced millions of already malnourished people to further reduce their food intake.
Haiti has experienced several disasters in recent years, including a tanker explosion in 2024 that killed around two dozen people, another explosion in 2021 that killed about 90 people, and a devastating earthquake in the same year that killed nearly 2,000.
(With input from agencies)
