At Least 30 Killed in Crush at Historic Haitian Fortress

At least 30 people died in a stampede at Citadelle Laferrière, a UNESCO World Heritage fortress in Milot, northern Haiti, during an annual Easter gathering on Saturday. The deadly crush began near the entrance and was worsened by heavy rain, with many victims being young people who attended after the event was promoted on social media. Jean Henri Petit, head of civil protection for Nord department, warned the death toll could rise. Prime Minister Alix Didier Fils-Aimé launched an investigation into the tragedy at the historic site, built by revolutionary Henri Christophe after Haiti's independence from France and now a symbol of Haitian sovereignty.

Fatal stampede at Laferrière Citadel Easter gathering

• ▪Jean Henri Petit warned the death toll from the Laferrière Citadel stampede could yet rise.
• ▪The Laferrière Citadel Easter event was attended by many young people.
• ▪Prime Minister Alix Didier Fils-Aimé launched an investigation into the Laferrière Citadel stampede incident.
• ▪Alix Didier Fils-Aimé is the Prime Minister of Haiti.
• ▪Jean Henri Petit is the head of civil protection for Haiti's Nord department.
• ▪The Laferrière Citadel is located in the northern town of Milot in Haiti.
• ▪At least 30 people are feared to have been killed in a stampede at the Laferrière Citadel in Haiti on Saturday.

Historical significance of the fortress site

• ▪The Laferrière Citadel is a UNESCO World Heritage site.
• ▪The Citadelle Laferrière site has become a symbol of Haitian independence.
• ▪The Citadelle Laferrière stronghold took more than a decade to construct.
• ▪Citadelle Laferrière was a crucial part of a network of fortifications to protect Haiti against attacks.
• ▪Citadelle Laferrière was built by revolutionary Henri Christophe shortly after Haiti gained independence from France.

Perspective of Haitian government officials

• ▪Haitian civil protection officials are concerned the death toll from the Citadelle Laferrière stampede may increase beyond the initial count of 30.
• ▪The Haitian government is investigating the circumstances that led to the deadly stampede at Citadelle Laferrière.

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