At least 30 people have been killed in a stampede at the historic Citadelle Laferrière in northern Haiti, with officials warning the death toll could rise as rescue efforts continue.
The tragedy unfolded on Saturday at the UNESCO-listed fortress, one of Haiti’s most iconic landmarks, as large crowds gathered for an annual celebration. According to Jean Henry Petit, head of civil protection in the northern region, the site was heavily congested with students and visitors at the time of the incident.
The UNESCO World Heritage site, built in the early 19th century shortly after Haiti gained independence from France, became the scene of chaos when a crowd surge occurred near the entrance.
Petit said the stampede was triggered at the main access point, with heavy rainfall worsening conditions and contributing to the panic.
Prime Minister Alix Didier Fils-Aimé expressed condolences in an official statement, offering “sincere sympathy to the families of the victims and the injured” and noting that many young people had been attending the event. The identities of the victims have not yet been confirmed.
The disaster adds to a series of recent tragedies in Haiti. The country has faced multiple deadly incidents in recent years, including fuel tanker explosions in 2021 and 2024, as well as a devastating earthquake in 2021 that claimed around 2,000 lives.
Authorities continue to assess the situation at Citadelle Laferrière, with emergency teams working to assist the injured and determine the full scale of the disaster.
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