Stampede at Haiti’s Citadelle Laferrière fortress kills 25, national mourning declared

At least 25 people were killed and dozens injured in a stampede at Haiti’s Citadelle Laferrière fortress , a historic mountaintop landmark in northern Haiti, authorities said, after a massive crowd gathered for annual celebrations at the site.

The tragedy occurred on Saturday near the town of Milot, close to Cap-Haïtien, where large numbers of visitors, including many students and young people , had arrived for festivities and school outings at the fortress, one of the country’s most visited tourist attractions.

Officials initially reported about 30 deaths but later revised the toll to 25 after verification by civil protection authorities. Around 30 injured people remain hospitalized , while search efforts continue for individuals initially reported missing.

Authorities said the stampede occurred near the entrance to the fortress , where a bottleneck formed as crowds attempted to move in and out of the site simultaneously. Victims died mainly from asphyxiation, trampling and loss of consciousness during the crush.

Investigators are examining several factors that may have triggered the panic, including severe overcrowding, rain that made conditions slippery , and reports of a scuffle among visitors near the entrance. Some accounts also suggested that police may have used tear gas to disperse a disturbance, possibly intensifying the chaos.

The 19th-century fortress , built after Haiti’s independence and later designated a UNESCO World Heritage site , sits atop a mountain about 900 metres above sea level and is considered a symbol of the nation’s history and resilience.

Prime Minister Alix Didier Fils-Aimé expressed condolences to the victims’ families and announced three days of national mourning , adding that the government would cover funeral costs for those who died.

Authorities have launched an investigation into the disaster and temporarily closed the historic site while the probe continues.

The tragedy adds to a series of disasters that have struck Haiti in recent years, underscoring the country’s ongoing challenges with safety infrastructure and emergency response.