A popular tourist attraction in the Caribbean state, and was packed with students and visitors on Saturday when a horror stampede killed at least 30 people
At least 30 people have been killed after a stampede in Haiti, but authorities are warning the death toll could rise.
Authorities said the stampede occurred at the Laferriere Citadel, a 19th-century fortress is one of the most popular tourist attractions in the Caribbean state, and was packed with students and visitors on Saturday when the horror stampede happened.
Haitian Prime Minister, Alix Didier Fils-Aimé, confirmed that “many young people” were in attendance, but did not identify the victims or give an estimate of the death toll. In a statement, he extended “his sincere condolences to the bereaved families and assures them of his profound solidarity during this time of mourning and great suffering”.
Jean Henri Petit, head of civil protection for Haiti’s Nord Department, said the disaster occurred at the entrance to the site and was further exacerbated by rain.
The Caribbean country has been afflicted by violent gangs in recent years with including up to 90% of the capital, Port-au-Prince, according to UN figures.
Armed with trafficked weapons, they terrorise civilians with murder, kidnapping, and sexual violence. Recent disasters have also taken their toll, including fuel tank explosions in 2021 and 2024, that killed 90 and 24 people respectively, and a 2021 earthquake that left some 2,000 people dead.
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