At least 30 people are feared to have been killed in a stampede at a popular tourist site in Haiti on Saturday.
The incident took place during an annual Easter gathering at the Laferrière Citadel, a UNESCO World Heritage site, according to Jean Henri Petit, head of civil protection for Haiti's Nord department. He has warned that the death toll could rise.
Prime Minister Alix Didier Fils-Aimé reported that the stampede occurred during a tourist event attended predominantly by young people at the site, located in the northern town of Milot.
In the aftermath, he stated that an investigation was initiated and that all relevant authorities were mobilized to support those affected. The government sends its sincere condolences to the affected families, Fils-Aimé added in a statement.
The site had drawn large crowds, particularly students and visitors, after event promotions circulated on social media. Local reports indicate that the stampede began near the entrance and was exacerbated by sudden heavy rainfall.
Haiti’s Le Nouvelliste was among the first to report the rising death toll, a figure that has not been confirmed in the government's official statement.
Citadelle Laferrière, also known as Citadelle Henry, was constructed by revolutionary Henri Christophe shortly after Haiti gained independence from France, serving as a vital fortification against invasions. It stands as an enduring symbol of Haitian sovereignty.
This tragic incident comes at a time when Haiti is grappling with widespread gang violence, which has already led to thousands of fatalities across the country.
