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, who warned that the death toll could yet rise.
Prime Minister Alix Didier Fils-Aimé stated that the stampede occurred during a tourist event attended by many young people in the northern town of Milot.
He confirmed that an investigation has been launched and that all relevant authorities have been mobilized to support those affected.
In a statement, Fils-Aimé expressed the government's condolences to the affected families.
The event at the historic site attracted a large number of students and visitors, heavily publicized on social media due to the event commemorating the 19th Century fortress's founding.
Reports indicate that the stampede originated near the entrance of the site and escalated due to heavy rainfall.
Local media, including Haiti's Le Nouvelliste newspaper, initially reported the casualties, though a government statement did not specify the number of fatalities.
Citadelle Laferrière, known as Citadelle Henry, was built by revolutionary Henri Christophe shortly after Haiti gained independence from France. The fortress took over a decade to construct and is a significant symbol of Haiti's independence.
This tragedy comes amid ongoing challenges in Haiti, including widespread gang violence that has claimed thousands of lives.
