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 still rise.
Prime Minister Alix Didier Fils-Aimé stated that the tragic event occurred during a tourist event attended by many young people at the site located in the northern town of Milot. An investigation has been launched, and all relevant authorities have been mobilized to support the affected families.
In his statement, Fils-Aimé conveyed the government's heartfelt condolences to those who lost loved ones. Reports indicate that the Citadelle was packed with students and visitors after the event, which commemorated the fortress's founding in the 19th Century, gained traction on social media.
The stampede reportedly began near the entrance of the site, exacerbated by heavy rain that contributed to the panic. While Haiti's Le Nouvelliste newspaper first reported the number of fatalities, the government's statement did not specify an exact death count. The Laferrière Citadel, also known as Citadelle Henry, was built by revolutionary leader Henri Christophe shortly after the nation gained independence from France, taking over a decade to construct as part of a network aimed at protecting Haiti from potential invasions. Now, it stands as a symbol of Haitian independence.
This tragic incident unfolds as Haiti continues to grapple with widespread gang violence, which has led to thousands of deaths across the nation.}
Prime Minister Alix Didier Fils-Aimé stated that the tragic event occurred during a tourist event attended by many young people at the site located in the northern town of Milot. An investigation has been launched, and all relevant authorities have been mobilized to support the affected families.
In his statement, Fils-Aimé conveyed the government's heartfelt condolences to those who lost loved ones. Reports indicate that the Citadelle was packed with students and visitors after the event, which commemorated the fortress's founding in the 19th Century, gained traction on social media.
The stampede reportedly began near the entrance of the site, exacerbated by heavy rain that contributed to the panic. While Haiti's Le Nouvelliste newspaper first reported the number of fatalities, the government's statement did not specify an exact death count. The Laferrière Citadel, also known as Citadelle Henry, was built by revolutionary leader Henri Christophe shortly after the nation gained independence from France, taking over a decade to construct as part of a network aimed at protecting Haiti from potential invasions. Now, it stands as a symbol of Haitian independence.
This tragic incident unfolds as Haiti continues to grapple with widespread gang violence, which has led to thousands of deaths across the nation.}
