- He noted that many young people were present at the event but did not provide a confirmed figure
- Petit explained that the stampede happened near the entrance
- In recent years, the country has also experienced several major disasters
At least 30 people lost their lives on Saturday following a stampede in northern Haiti, with officials warning that the number of casualties could still increase.
According to Jean Henri Petit, Director of Civil Protection in the Nord Department, the incident occurred at the Laferriere Citadel, a historic fortress dating back to the early 19th century, shortly after Haiti gained independence from France, Eko Hot Blog reports.
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The site, one of the country’s most visited tourist landmarks, was crowded with students and other attendees who had gathered for its annual celebration as a UNESCO World Heritage site.
Petit explained that the stampede happened near the entrance, and wet conditions caused by rainfall worsened the situation.
In a statement, Prime Minister Alix Didier Fils-Aime expressed deep sympathy to the families of the victims, offering condolences and support during what he described as a period of profound grief.
He noted that many young people were present at the event but did not provide a confirmed figure for the number of deaths.
The tragedy adds to a series of challenges facing Haiti, which has been dealing with persistent gang violence, civilian casualties, and intensified security operations.
In recent years, the country has also experienced several major disasters, including a deadly fuel tanker explosion in 2024 that claimed dozens of lives, a similar blast in 2021 that killed about 90 people, and a devastating earthquake the same year that resulted in roughly 2,000 deaths.
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