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 took place on Saturday during an annual cultural festivity at the Laferrière Citadel, a Unesco World Heritage site in northern Haiti.

Incident Details and Casualty Count

The authorities initially reported that 30 people had been killed but this number has been revised down to 25; the stampede occurred at the Laferrière Citadel, also known as Citadelle Henry, during an event that drew a large crowd.

Those arrested include five local police officers and two employees of the country’s National Heritage Preservation Institute (ISPAN), which oversees the preservation of Haiti’s major landmarks. They are currently in custody pending further legal action, police said.

An investigation into what happened has been launched, and Prime Minister Alix Didier Fils-Aimé said on Saturday that the stampede happened ‘during a tourist event attended by many young people’ at the site, in the town of Milot.

He added that three days of national mourning for the victims would begin on Tuesday — the tragedy has added to the growing concerns about public safety in Haiti, where gang violence has already claimed thousands of lives.

Local Officials’ Statements

Milot Mayor Wesner Joseph told the Magik9 radio station on Monday that his administration was not aware of any activity planned at the citadel on Saturday, and that they had later found out that a local DJ had invited people there via TikTok.

Jean-Hérold Pérard. The site’s engineer and a former ISPAN director, told the Haitian Times that one of the site’s two entrances had been closed so that local security officials could collect visitors’ fees. He said people began trying to force their way in as it started raining and alleged that gunshots were fired into the air and teargas was used — it was not clear by whom.

‘People were pushing each other and some died of asphyxiation especially after they threw tear gas,’ Pérard said; the use of tear gas and gunfire has raised questions about the role of law enforcement and security personnel during the event.

Citadelle Laferrière. Also known as Citadelle Henry. Was built by major Henri Christophe shortly after Haiti gained independence from France. The stronghold took more than a decade to construct and was a major part of a network of fortifications to protect the new Caribbean island nation against attacks.

Historical Significance and Current Challenges

The site has since become a symbol of Haitian independence. The deadly stampede comes as Haiti grapples with widespread gang violence that has led to thousands being killed. The incident has reignited discussions about security, crowd management, and the risks associated with large-scale public events in the region.

The role of police officers among the seven arrested has drawn particular attention, with questions about their actions during the event and whether they contributed to the chaos that led to the deaths of 25 people. The investigation is expected to shed light on the circumstances surrounding the stampede and the responsibilities of those involved.