Haiti stampede kills at least 30 at historic Citadelle Laferrière celebration

At least 30 people have died in a stampede at the Citadelle Laferrière in northern Haiti, after huge crowds gathered on Saturday for an annual celebration at the iconic hilltop fortress, authorities said.

The tragedy unfolded near the entrance of the early 19th-century Unesco World Heritage site, built shortly after Haiti gained independence from France. According to Jean Henri Petit, head of Civil Protection for the Nord Department, the situation escalated rapidly as thousands of visitors packed the area.

Overcrowding and rain trigger chaos

Officials said overcrowding, combined with heavy rainfall, led to panic and a sudden loss of control among the crowd. The narrow access points to the fortress are believed to have worsened the stampede, making it difficult for people to escape once the surge began.

Emergency responders were deployed to the scene soon after the incident, with rescue efforts continuing late into the night as authorities worked to assist the injured and recover bodies.

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Haiti’s acting Prime Minister Alix Didier Fils-Aimé issued a statement expressing condolences to the victims’ families.

He said he “extends his sincere condolences to the bereaved families and assures them of his profound solidarity during this time of mourning and great suffering."

He also noted that “many young people" were among those present, although officials have not yet confirmed the identities of the victims or released a full casualty breakdown. Authorities warned that the death toll could rise as assessments continue.

Country already facing challenges

The tragedy adds to Haiti’s long list of challenges, as the Caribbean nation continues to grapple with escalating gang violence and political instability. Armed groups are believed to control large parts of the capital, Port-au-Prince, according to UN estimates.

In recent years, Haiti has also suffered repeated disasters, including deadly fuel tanker explosions in 2021 and 2024, as well as a devastating earthquake in 2021 that killed around 2,000 people.