At least 30 people, many of them young, have died in a crush at the Citadelle Henry fortress in northern Haiti, a popular tourist site. The incident occurred on Saturday, according to Jean Henri Petit, head of civil protection for the Nord department, who told local newspaper Le Nouvelliste that the death toll could rise due to many missing.
Dozens were injured and taken to hospital. Initial reports indicate visitors were crammed against a single entrance, with a scuffle breaking out between those entering and leaving. Other local media said a gathering was advertised on TikTok, and rumours suggested police used excessive teargas to break up a fight, triggering panic and the crush.
Culture Minister Emmanuel Menard confirmed 30 deaths, stating the injured are receiving medical care and a rescue team is searching for missing persons. The fortress, a Unesco World Heritage site since 1982, is closed until further notice. The prime minister's office expressed deep sadness, saying the crush occurred during a tourist activity for young people, and urged calm while investigating.
Haiti continues to face widespread gang violence and a deadly security crackdown. The country, the poorest in the western hemisphere, has been hit by rising oil prices due to the conflict in Iran, with fuel costs rising 29-37% in April, disrupting supply chains and doubling transport costs.
Recent disasters include a 2024 fuel tank explosion killing 24, a 2021 blast killing 90, and a 2021 earthquake that left about 2,000 dead.
