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At least 30 people have died in a stampede at a historic fortress in Haiti, according to the country’s culture minister, with authorities warning that the death toll could still rise as rescue efforts continue.
Haiti’s Culture Minister Emmanuel Menard said in a statement that 30 deaths had been confirmed following the incident at Citadelle Henri on Saturday, adding that injured victims were receiving treatment while search teams continued to look for those still missing.
“The Minister of Culture and Communication has confirmed the deaths of 30 people at the Citadelle Henri on Saturday, April 11, 2026.
“The injured are currently receiving the necessary medical care, and a rescue team is searching for any missing persons,” Menard said, without giving an exact figure of those injured.
The prime minister’s office expressed “deep sorrow” over the tragedy, saying the incident occurred during a tourist event that drew a large number of young people.
Jean Henry Petit, head of the civil protection office in Northern Haiti, said many people remain unaccounted for, raising fears the toll could increase, while dozens of injured victims have been taken to the hospital.
Reports from local media suggested the crowd became trapped near a single exit point, triggering panic as people attempted to move in opposite directions.
Authorities have urged calm as investigations continue, saying all relevant agencies have been mobilised to provide assistance and determine what led to the deadly crush.
Citadelle Henri, also known as Citadelle Laferrière, is a United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) listed 19th-century fortress and one of Haiti’s most visited heritage sites.
Authorities have now closed the site indefinitely as investigations continue.
