At least 30 killed in crowd surge at Citadelle Laferrière  in northern Haiti

This is a developing story. The Haitian Times will continue to provide updates as more information becomes available.

FORT-LIBERTÉ, Haiti — At least 30 people were killed Saturday during a large gathering at the Citadelle Laferrière in Cap-Haitien, northern Haiti, after a crowd surge triggered panic inside the historic fortress, according to local authorities.

“I learned with deep emotion of the tragedy that occurred this Saturday, April 11 at the Citadelle Laferrière,” Patrick Almonord, deputy mayor of Cap-Haïtien, said in a statement. “A movement in the crowd caused a stampede of extreme gravity. The provisional toll is about 30 dead and dozens injured. These numbers may still change.”

Almonord said victims are being treated in nearby hospitals and that a joint delegation from Cap-Haïtien city officials and Civil Protection teams was dispatched to support rescue efforts.

The incident happened during a large youth gathering called ‘Citadel Vibe 3.0’ launched and promoted by several social media influencers, which drew thousands of people to the mountaintop fortress in Milot. Authorities say the number of attendees far exceeded the site’s capacity.

Civil Protection officials reported that several people remain missing, while others are in critical condition at Hôpital Sacré-Cœur de Milot. Rescue operations were still underway late Saturday.

Images circulating on social media and witness accounts suggest that only one access point was open for both entry and exit, creating severe congestion as the crowd grew.

It was the third edition of the event, Citadel Vibed 3.0. 

The gathering was widely shared online by influencers, including a TikToker known as “Dope Fresh,” who had encouraged followers to meet at the Citadelle before heading to Place de Vertières in Cap-Haïtien.

In a video posted after the tragedy, Dope Fresh said he had already left the site when the incident occurred and denied sole responsibility, saying the event involved multiple organizers.

The exact cause of death has not yet been officially determined, but early reports point to asphyxiation linked to overcrowding and poor air circulation inside enclosed areas of the fortress. Heavy rain and slippery conditions may have worsened the situation, witnesses said.

“There were thousands of us up there. At one point, people couldn’t breathe anymore. It was total panic,” said Fabiola Jules, who attended the event.

“There wasn’t enough space to move around. People were stuck,” Marco Photo, an influencer who was present, said in a post on Facebook. “At one point, people were pushing to get out. Many couldn’t breathe.” 

Authorities have not confirmed whether organizers obtained official authorization from the Institute for the Preservation of National Heritage (ISPAN), which manages the site.

On social media and local reports, the tragedy has raised urgent questions about the role of authorities, crowd control, event planning, and safety measures at large public gatherings in Haiti, especially at an historic site where visits must be supervised and well managed.

“This tragedy reminds us of the need for organization, prevention, and proper supervision during large gatherings,” Almonord said.  “Milot is not alone in this.”

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