Tragic Stampede in Haiti: Seven Arrested Including Police Officers

Tue Apr 14 2026 13:56:14 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)

A stampede at Haiti's Citadelle Laferrière resulted in 25 fatalities, leading to the arrest of seven individuals, including police officers.

In a tragic event during a cultural festivity at the historic Laferrière Citadel in northern Haiti, a stampede led to the deaths of 25 people. Seven individuals, including five police officers and two employees from a preservation institute, have been arrested as investigations unfold. The incident, which occurred during a tourist event, has sparked national mourning and raised concerns about security and crowd management during large gatherings.

Seven people have been arrested in connection with a deadly stampede at a popular tourist destination in Haiti, as confirmed by the country's national police force.

The incident took place on Saturday during an annual cultural festivity at the Laferrière Citadel, a UNESCO World Heritage site in northern Haiti.

Initially, authorities stated that 30 people lost their lives, but the confirmed number has since been revised down to 25.

Among those arrested are five local police officers and two employees of the National Heritage Preservation Institute (ISPAN), which oversees the protection of Haiti's historical sites. They are currently in custody awaiting further legal proceedings.

An investigation has been launched, with Prime Minister Alix Didier Fils-Aimé stating that the stampede occurred during a tourist event attended by many young individuals in Milot.

In light of the tragedy, a three-day national mourning period is set to begin on Tuesday.

Milot Mayor Wesner Joseph reported that his administration had no knowledge of events planned at the citadel on that day, later discovering that a local DJ had invited attendees via TikTok.

Engineer Jean-Hérold Pérard, a former ISPAN director, explained that one of the two entrances to the site was closed, prompting a surge of people trying to enter. He alleged that gunshots were fired into the air and tear gas was deployed, although it remains unclear by whom.

Witnesses described scenes of chaos, with individuals pushing each other, leading to asphyxiation for some, particularly after the tear gas was released.

Citadelle Laferrière, also known as Citadelle Henry, was constructed shortly after Haiti's independence from France and is a significant symbol of the nation’s history.

This tragic incident underscores the ongoing challenges Haiti faces amid widespread gang violence and instability, which has resulted in thousands of deaths across the nation.