At least 30 people died in a stampede at Citadelle Laferrière in northern Haiti on Saturday, officials confirmed. The tragedy struck when two large groups of mostly young people became locked against each other at the entrance to the fortress during rain. "People began pushing. Some fell, and others trampled over them," said Culture Minister Emmanuel Ménard. "Some people died from suffocation." The death toll is expected to rise.

The Citadelle, built in the early 19th century after Haiti's successful slave rebellion against France, represents a powerful symbol of national sovereignty for Haitians worldwide. King Henri Christophe commissioned the mountain-top fortress as a defense against potential French return. The site appears on Haitian currency and postage stamps, making it a source of immense pride for the diaspora.

The disaster occurred during the Easter holiday weekend, traditionally a time when Haitians make an annual pilgrimage to commemorate the fortress's anniversary. Many in the diaspora criticized the lack of safety precautions that allowed such a large crowd to gather. "We failed to take care of one of the most important elements in our history," said Eddy Laguerre, a Miami-based lawyer.