A stampede at the historic Citadelle Henri fortress in Haiti's northern town of Milot killed at least 25 people on Saturday, according to multiple reports. The incident occurred during an annual Easter gathering at the UNESCO World Heritage site.
Key Takeaways
A stampede at the Citadelle Henri fortress in Haiti killed at least 25 people during an annual Easter gathering. Heavy rain and crowding near the single entrance exacerbated the incident, injuring several dozen others. The government declared three days of national mourning and launched an investigation.
- Stampede kills 25 at historic Citadelle Henri fortress
- Government declares three days of national mourning
- Death toll could rise as investigations continue
- Heavy rain and crowding contributed to the incident
- Fortress closed until further notice
Initial reports suggested a higher death toll, but authorities later revised the number downward. Jean Henri Petit, head of civil protection for Haiti's Nord department, warned that the death toll could still rise as investigations continue.
The stampede happened during a tourist event attended by many young people, according to Prime Minister Alix Didier Fils-Aimé. The incident was exacerbated by heavy rain and occurred near the site's single entrance as visitors tried to enter and exit simultaneously. Several dozen people were injured and taken to hospitals for medical care.
In a national address on Sunday, Prime Minister Fils-Aimé announced three days of national mourning beginning Tuesday. The government will cover funeral expenses for the victims, as reported by Reuters.
The fortress, built shortly after Haiti gained independence from France, is now closed to visitors until further notice. An investigation into the cause of the stampede has been launched, with authorities urging citizens to remain calm while awaiting results.
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