Seven people have been arrested in connection with a deadly stampede at a popular tourist destination in Haiti, the country's national police force says.
The incident occurred on Saturday during an annual cultural festivity at the Citadelle Laferrière, a UNESCO World Heritage site in northern Haiti. Initial reports indicated 30 people had died, but this figure has since been revised down to 25.
Those arrested include five local police officers and two employees of the National Heritage Preservation Institute (ISPAN). They are currently in custody as authorities continue their investigation.
Prime Minister Alix Didier Fils-Aimé stated that the stampede occurred during a tourist event that attracted many young attendees in Milot. In response, the government plans to observe three days of national mourning starting Tuesday.
Milot's Mayor, Wesner Joseph, expressed that his administration was unaware of any event planned at the citadel, having learned that a local DJ had invited attendees via TikTok.
The engineer of the site, Jean-Hérold Pérard, revealed that one of the entrances had been closed to collect visitor fees, which led to a surge of people trying to enter as it began to rain. Allegations arose of gunshots fired into the air and tear gas being used, though the source remains unclear. Pérard noted that as the crowd pushed, some victims succumbed to asphyxiation.
The Citadelle Laferrière was built shortly after Haiti gained independence and stands as a symbol of national pride. This tragedy comes as the country battles severe gang violence, which has exacerbated the ongoing crisis across Haiti.
