PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti — At least 30 people have died following a stampede at the historic Citadelle Laferrière in northern Haiti, authorities confirmed Sunday, in one of the country’s deadliest public safety incidents in recent years.
Culture Minister Emmanuel Menard said the fatalities occurred on Saturday during what officials described as a tourist activity that drew a large crowd, many of them young people.
“The Minister of Culture and Communication has confirmed the deaths of 30 people at the Citadelle Henri,” Menard said in a written statement, adding that rescue teams were still searching for missing persons and that the number of casualties could rise.
Several dozen others were injured and rushed to the hospital, according to local authorities, though an exact figure was not immediately provided.
The fortress, also known as Citadelle Henri, is a 19th-century landmark and a designated UNESCO World Heritage Site, popular with both local and international visitors. Officials announced it has been closed “until further notice” as investigations continue.
Preliminary reports indicate that the crush occurred near a narrow entry point, where visitors were reportedly packed tightly as some attempted to enter while others tried to exit. Witness accounts cited confusion and a scuffle that quickly escalated into panic.
Local media reports suggested the gathering may have been widely shared on social media platforms, including TikTok, potentially contributing to the large turnout, though authorities said this had not been independently verified.
Jean Henry Petit, head of civil protection in northern Haiti, told local outlet Le Nouvelliste that the death toll could increase due to the number of people still unaccounted for.
In a statement, the Haitian government expressed “deep sadness” over the tragedy and urged the public to remain calm as emergency services respond.
“All competent authorities are fully mobilised and placed on maximum alert to provide, without delay, the necessary assistance, care and support,” the statement said.
The incident has raised fresh concerns about crowd management and safety protocols at major public and tourist sites in Haiti, particularly during high-attendance events.
Authorities have launched investigations into the circumstances leading to the stampede, including whether adequate crowd control measures were in place and how access to the site was managed.
