Haiti is mourning after a deadly stampede at the historic Citadelle Laferrière fortress killed at least 30 people, with authorities warning the death toll could rise as search and rescue operations continue.
The country’s Minister of Culture and Communication, Emmanuel Menard, confirmed the fatalities in a statement to AFP on Sunday, saying the incident occurred on Saturday, April 11, 2026, at the popular UNESCO World Heritage Site.
“The Minister of Culture and Communication has confirmed the deaths of 30 people at the Citadelle Henri on Saturday, April 11, 2026,” Menard said, adding that injured victims were receiving medical care while rescue teams searched for missing persons.
Citadelle Laferrière, also known as Citadelle Henri, is a 19th-century mountaintop fortress and one of Haiti’s most visited tourist attractions. Built between 1805 and 1820, it is considered the largest fortress in the Western Hemisphere and a powerful symbol of Haitian independence.
The site has been closed to visitors “until further notice,” Menard added.
Haiti’s Prime Minister’s Office expressed “deep sadness” over the tragedy, saying the crush occurred during a tourist event that brought together large numbers of young people.
Prime Minister Alix Didier Fils-Aimé confirmed the deaths and said the government was mobilizing health services and judicial authorities to respond to the disaster.
“The government is mobilizing,” he told the Miami Herald, adding that officials are working to determine the exact circumstances of what happened.
Local authorities in northern Haiti said the number of victims could increase as several people remain missing. Jean Henry Petit, head of the civil protection office in the region, said dozens of injured people were taken to hospital.
According to local reports, the stampede began when visitors—mostly young people—became trapped between a single entry and exit point at the fortress, triggering panic as crowds surged in both directions.
Witness accounts also suggest heavy rainfall contributed to the chaos, with panic spreading rapidly around mid-afternoon as visitors attempted to flee the site.
Milot Mayor Wesner Joseph said many victims died of asphyxiation during the crush, which occurred around 4 p.m. He also noted that the town lacked adequate emergency resources, including ambulance services, with only one police vehicle available for the entire area.
Joseph added that the gathering had been promoted on social media, including TikTok, and was not officially authorized. Local reports indicated that thousands of young people had been drawn to the site during Holy Week celebrations, with some videos even questioning whether the fortress could handle the crowds.
Authorities said visitors began arriving as early as 4:30 a.m., leading to severe congestion at the gates before the fatal stampede unfolded.
The government has urged calm as investigations continue.
“All competent authorities are fully mobilized and placed on maximum alert to provide, without delay, the necessary assistance, care and support,” the Prime Minister’s Office said.
It added that the government stands in solidarity with victims and their families as the country grapples with one of its deadliest recent mass-casualty events at a cultural landmark.
