At least 30 people have died and dozens more have been injured or reported missing after a crush at a historic fortress in northern Haiti, officials said.
The incident took place on Saturday at Citadelle Henry, also known as Citadelle Laferrière, a large 19th-century fortress perched on a mountaintop and widely visited by tourists. Jean Henri Petit, the head of civil protection for Haiti’s Nord department, said the site was packed with students and visitors when the crush occurred.
Officials said many of those killed were young. The number of people injured has not been confirmed, but authorities said dozens more were affected in the incident.
Citadelle Henry is one of Haiti’s best-known landmarks. Built shortly after the country gained independence from France, it stands as an important historical site as well as a popular destination for local and foreign visitors.
Emergency efforts were underway after the crush, with officials continuing to account for those who were injured or missing. The situation at the fortress highlighted the risks that can arise at crowded public attractions, particularly at sites drawing large numbers of students and tourists.
