Deadly crowd surge at Haiti’s iconic Citadelle Laferrière

The Milot municipality is accusing a TikToker of promoting an unauthorized event that turned tragic this Saturday

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An activity not approved by the Milot municipality ended in tragedy this Saturday in northern Haiti.

The mayor, Joseph Wesner, reports at least thirteen deaths, mainly among young people, caused by asphyxiation. Around ten other victims are receiving care at the local hospital, in an area that has been in blackout for at least a decade, according to the municipality.

The event was supposed to feature a “surprise” appearance by someone known as “Dopefresh.” This TikToker, who has nearly 800,000 followers, promoted the activity on his social media page.

Contacted by AyiboPost, the departmental director of Civil Protection, Jean Henry Petit, mentioned at least around thirty deaths amid an exceptionally large crowd at the Citadelle.

Several incidents occurred following a surge of people, with one group trying to enter while another was attempting to exit the structure, according to Petit, who is calling on the Cap-Haïtien municipality to assist that of Milot, which lacks resources.

Traditionally, the Citadelle Laferrière, a UNESCO World Heritage site, draws large crowds during the Easter period.

This year’s turnout was exceptional, according to municipal authorities.

According to a non-public Civil Protection report, obtained exclusively by AyiboPost, the crowd management measures put in place for the event proved insufficient. Only a single access gate was reportedly open to regulate both entry and exit flows, creating severe human congestion.

Very quickly, a scuffle broke out.

This wave of panic triggered a massive stampede, leading to cases of asphyxiation, trampling, and loss of consciousness among visitors. Several people remain missing.

Several trucks and motorcycles transporting victims to healthcare facilities were involved in traffic accidents. These incidents contributed to increasing the death toll and further complicated rescue operations, according to the report.

The municipal council was installed just fifteen days ago. “Young people had planned to go up there without the authorities being aware,” said Jean Henry Petit of Civil Protection.

The mayor confirms he had been aware of the event, but does not indicate whether measures were taken to manage the exceptional crowd, which, he says, began gathering as early as 4:30 a.m., even though the Citadelle only opens at 8 a.m.

The gates are narrow; many young people were intoxicated, according to the mayor, who is calling on the police to conduct an investigation to determine the exact causes of the tragedy, which occurred during rainy conditions.

Questioned on his TikTok page, the individual known as Dopefresh did not indicate having obtained any authorization for the paid invitation promoted on his page. “Every area organizes this activity in April,” he said.

The young TikToker stated that he had been at the Citadelle, but rejects any responsibility for the tragedy. “It was on my way back home that I heard about what had happened. My people didn’t even make it to the Citadelle,” he added. “I have nothing to do with what happened.”

The Citadelle Laferrière remains the most emblematic historical monument in Haiti. In June 2024, the Institut de Sauvegarde du Patrimoine National reported the disappearance of two culverins from the site—artillery pieces that have never been recovered.

The Palais Sans-Souci, the Citadelle Laferrière, and the Fort des Ramiers together form the National History Park.

By: Widlore Mérancourt