In brief
At least 30 individuals are feared dead following a stampede that occurred at Citadelle Laferrière in Haiti, during an Easter event. The crowd surged amid poor weather, prompting an investigation by local authorities as Prime Minister expresses condolences to the victims' families.
A tragic stampede at a popular tourist site in Haiti has left at least 30 people feared dead. The incident occurred during an annual Easter gathering at the Citadelle Laferrière, a UNESCO World Heritage site, located in the northern town of Milot, according to Jean Henri Petit, head of civil protection for Haiti's Nord department. He warned that the death toll could rise.Prime Minister Alix Didier Fils-Aimé stated that the crush happened during a tourist event attended by many young individuals. An investigation has been launched, with all relevant authorities mobilized to provide support for the affected.In a heartfelt statement, Fils-Aimé extended the government's condolences to the families of those impacted. The site was heavily populated with students and visitors after the event, promoting the 19th Century fortress’s founding on social media, which local media reported contributed to the large turnout.The stampede is thought to have begun near the entrance to the site and was worsened by heavy rain. Haiti's Le Nouvelliste newspaper was the first to report the number of fatalities, although the government confirmed no exact figure yet.Citadelle Laferrière, also known as Citadelle Henry, was constructed by revolutionary Henri Christophe shortly after Haiti's independence from France. This stronghold played a crucial role in protecting the Caribbean nation against attacks and has since emerged as a symbol of Haitian independence.This catastrophic event occurs amidst a backdrop of widespread gang violence in Haiti, which has led to thousands of deaths over recent years.
