At least 30 people have been killed in a stampede in northern Haiti during a crowded event at a major historical landmark, authorities said, warning that the death toll could rise.
The incident occurred on April 11 at the Laferrière Citadel, a UNESCO World Heritage fortress built in the early 19th century shortly after Haiti gained independence from France.
According to the head of Civil Protection for Haiti’s Nord Department, Jean Henri Petit, the stampede broke out at the entrance of the site, which was packed with students and visitors attending an annual celebration at one of the country’s most popular tourist attractions.
He said heavy rain may have worsened the situation as crowds surged at the entrance, contributing to the deadly crush.
Haiti’s Prime Minister Alix Didier Fils-Aimé expressed condolences to the victims’ families, saying he stood in solidarity with those affected during what he described as a period of “great suffering”.
He noted that many young people were among those attending the event, although the exact identities of the victims have not yet been confirmed.
Authorities have not released a final death toll, and emergency teams are still assessing the full scale of the tragedy.
The disaster comes as Haiti continues to face severe instability, including widespread gang violence and ongoing security operations that have further strained public safety conditions in the country.
