Deadly Stampede at Haiti Citadelle Kills at Least 25

A devastating stampede at the Citadelle Laferriere on April 12 killed at least 25 to 30 people and left dozens hospitalized, making it one of the deadliest crowd disasters in Caribbean history.

Crush at a UNESCO World Heritage Site

The tragedy unfolded at the entrance to the Citadelle Laferriere, the iconic mountaintop fortress in northern Haiti and a UNESCO World Heritage site. Large crowds had gathered for an annual celebration, with students among the attendees.

Rain Worsened the Catastrophe

Conditions deteriorated rapidly when rain began to fall. The wet surfaces made it impossible for people caught in the crush to maintain footing. Most victims died from asphyxiation.

A National Tragedy

The Citadelle, built in the early 19th century after Haiti's independence, is the nation's most celebrated monument. The disaster has prompted calls for a thorough review of crowd management protocols.