Stampede at fortress in northern Haiti leaves at least 25 dead

At least 25 people have died and dozens more were injured following a stampede at a historic mountaintop fortress in northern Haiti, authorities confirmed Sunday after revising an earlier death toll.

The tragedy occurred on Saturday at the Citadelle Laferrière, a UNESCO World Heritage site and popular tourist destination near the city of Cap-Haïtien, where traditional festivities were taking place. The site, built in the early 19th century, is one of Haiti’s most significant historical landmarks and regularly draws both local and international visitors.

Municipal officials from Cap-Haïtien released a statement indicating the stampede “resulted in numerous cases of asphyxiation, trampling and loss of consciousness.” Many of those affected were taken to nearby hospitals, while authorities reported several people remained missing in the aftermath.

“According to preliminary information… a situation of severe overcrowding, linked in particular to deficiencies in crowd management measures, triggered a stampede,” the local government explained in their statement, pointing to possible organizational failures at the event.

The Haitian National Police announced they have launched a formal investigation to determine the precise causes of the incident. Autopsies were being conducted throughout Sunday as authorities worked to understand the full scope of the tragedy. Police confirmed that 30 victims remained hospitalized with various injuries related to the stampede.

In a somber scene at the site on Sunday, some victims’ bodies remained at the fortress as families arrived to identify their loved ones. Among them was Donaldson Jean, who was seen sobbing after carrying his sister’s body, which had been covered with a white tarp.

Jean explained that his sister had earned the opportunity to visit the Citadelle as part of a school field trip reserved for top-performing students. “Morning and night, she was studying for the genius program,” he said through tears. “She would come and ask me to help with homework before dinner. Look how I lost her.”

The Haitian government issued official condolences to the families affected by the tragedy, while police urged the public to cooperate with authorities and avoid spreading unverified information about the incident.

This disaster comes at a particularly difficult time for Haiti, a nation already struggling with political instability, gang violence, and economic challenges. The country’s tourism sector, which has historically provided valuable revenue, has been severely impacted by security concerns in recent years.

The Citadelle Laferrière, often simply called “the Citadelle,” stands as a symbol of Haiti’s independence. Built after the successful slave revolution against French colonial rule, it was designed to defend the newly independent nation from possible foreign invasions. The massive stone fortress sits atop Bonnet à l’Évêque mountain, about 17 miles south of Cap-Haïtien.

Events like these traditional festivities at historical sites represent important cultural gatherings for local communities, particularly significant in a nation where preservation of heritage remains a priority despite ongoing challenges.

Authorities have not specified what particular event or celebration was taking place at the time of the stampede, though the fortress regularly hosts cultural programs. Questions remain about the site’s capacity management protocols and emergency response procedures.

The incident highlights ongoing concerns about safety measures at mass gatherings in Haiti, where infrastructure challenges and limited emergency resources can exacerbate crisis situations. As the investigation continues, focus will likely turn to preventing similar tragedies through improved crowd management and safety protocols at popular historical sites throughout the country.