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Haiti Fortress Stampede Kills 30
13 Apr
Summary
- A stampede at the Citadelle Laferriere killed at least 30 people.
- The incident occurred during a celebration of the fortress's founding.
- Heavy rain and crowd pressure led to the deadly crush.
A deadly stampede occurred recently at the historic Citadelle Laferriere in northern Haiti, resulting in at least 30 fatalities and numerous injuries. The 19th-century fortress, a UNESCO World Heritage site and symbol of Haitian resistance, was hosting an event to commemorate its founding when the tragedy struck.
According to Haiti's minister of culture and communication, Emmanuel Menard, heavy rain on Saturday caused congestion at the site's entrance. The situation escalated as visitors attempting to leave clashed with those trying to enter, leading to a crush where people pushed, fell, and were trampled.
Haitian Prime Minister Alix Didier Fils-Aime expressed deep emotion and sadness over the incident. The Citadelle Laferriere, commissioned by King Henri Christophe, was built as a defense fortification following Haiti's independence from France and took over a decade to construct.
