Haiti stampede: At least 30 dead at Laferriere Citadel tourist site

At least 30 people have lost their lives following a devastating stampede in Haiti, with authorities warning that the death toll is likely to climb.

Officials confirmed the tragedy unfolded at the Laferriere Citadel, a 19th-century fortress regarded as one of the most visited tourist destinations in the Caribbean nation, which was teeming with students and visitors on Saturday when the catastrophic incident occurred.

Haitian Prime Minister Alix Didier Fils-Aimé confirmed that “many young people” were present at the time, though he declined to name any victims or provide an estimated death toll.

In an official statement, he extended “his sincere condolences to the bereaved families and assures them of his profound solidarity during this time of mourning and great suffering”.

Jean Henri Petit, head of civil protection for Haiti’s Nord Department, revealed that the tragedy struck at the entrance to the site and was further worsened by rainfall.

The Caribbean nation has been plagued by violent gang activity in recent years, with armed groups controlling up to 90% of the capital, Port-au-Prince, according to UN figures, reports the Mirror.

Equipped with trafficked weapons, these gangs have subjected civilians to murder, kidnapping and sexual violence. The country has also been battered by a series of recent catastrophes, including fuel tank explosions in 2021 and 2024 that claimed 90 and 24 lives respectively, as well as a 2021 earthquake that left approximately 2,000 people dead.