At least 30 people have been killed in a deadly crush at the Citadelle Laferrière, a UNESCO World Heritage fortress in northern Haiti, after a large Easter holiday event drew overwhelming crowds to the site. Authorities have warned the death toll could still rise.

The tragedy unfolded on Saturday at the historic mountaintop citadel near the town of Milot, in Haiti's Nord department. The event, locally promoted as 'Citadel Vibes 3.0' and advertised widely on social media, had not received official authorisation, according to local media reports. Unusually large numbers of students and visitors — many of them young people — gathered to mark the annual commemoration of the fortress's founding. A crush developed near the entrance to the site as crowds built up, and the situation was significantly worsened by the sudden onset of heavy rain. The remote, mountainous location of the citadel also hampered rescue and relief efforts.

Haitian Prime Minister Alix Didier Fils-Aimé confirmed the government had learned of the incident "with deep distress," noting it occurred "during a tourist event attended by many young people." He said an investigation had been launched and all relevant authorities mobilised to assist survivors and their families. "The government sends its sincere condolences to the affected families," he said in an official statement. The death toll of at least 30 was first reported by Haiti's Le Nouvelliste newspaper, citing Jean Henri Petit, head of civil protection for the Nord department.

The Citadelle Laferrière — also known as Citadelle Henry — is one of the Caribbean's most iconic monuments. Built in the early 19th century by revolutionary leader Henri Christophe shortly after Haiti became the first Black republic in the world following its independence from France in 1804, the fortress was constructed by formerly enslaved people and served as a key defensive stronghold. It has long stood as a symbol of Haitian independence and resilience.

The disaster strikes a country already under severe strain. Haiti has been grappling with widespread gang violence that has claimed thousands of lives in recent years, severely limiting the government's capacity to maintain order and deliver public services. Saturday's tragedy raises urgent questions about event safety, crowd management, and the organisation of large public gatherings at heritage sites — particularly those in difficult-to-access locations where emergency response is inherently constrained.