A stampede at a historic fortress in northern Haiti has claimed the lives of at least 30 people, authorities have confirmed, cautioning that the number of fatalities could yet increase.
The tragic incident unfolded on Saturday at the Laferriere Citadel, an early 19th-century fortress constructed in the wake of Haiti’s independence from France.
Jean Henri Petit, head of Civil Protection for Haiti’s Nord Department, stated that the UNESCO World Heritage site, a significant tourist attraction, was reportedly crowded with students and visitors attending its annual celebration.
Prime Minister Alix Didier Fils-Aimé issued a statement expressing his profound sorrow, saying he “extends his sincere condolences to the bereaved families and assures them of his profound solidarity during this time of mourning and great suffering.”
He noted the presence of “many young people” at the Citadel’s festivities, though his statement did not provide an updated death toll or identify the victims.
Petit said the stampede occurred at the entrance to the site, adding that the rain further exacerbated the disaster.
The deadly stampede comes as Haiti is grappling with widespread violence by gangs that have massacred civilians, as well as an increasingly deadly crackdown by security forces.
The island nation has also been the site of various disasters in recent years, including a 2024 fuel tank explosion that killed two dozen people, another fuel tank blast in 2021 that killed 90 people and an earthquake that left some 2,000 people dead that same year.
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