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. He warned that the death toll could potentially rise.
Prime Minister Alix Didier Fils-Aimé stated that the event, which attracted numerous young attendees, took place in the northern town of Milot. He confirmed that an investigation has been initiated and that all relevant authorities are mobilized to support those affected.
The government sends its sincere condolences to the affected families, Fils-Aimé remarked in a statement.
The site had been crowded with students and visitors after the event, which commemorated the founding of the 19th-century fortress. The gathering had been extensively promoted on social media, which contributed to the large turnout.
The stampede reportedly began near the entrance and was exacerbated by the onset of heavy rain.
Haiti's Le Nouvelliste newspaper first reported the death toll, citing Petit, although the government statement did not provide a specific number.
Citadelle Laferrière, also known as Citadelle Henry, was constructed by revolutionary Henri Christophe shortly after Haiti gained independence from France. The fortress took over a decade to build and was a crucial part of a network of fortifications to protect the new nation from attacks. Today, it stands as a symbol of Haitian independence.
This tragic incident occurs amidst ongoing widespread gang violence in Haiti, which has resulted in thousands of deaths.
