The Haitian Ministry of Culture and Communication fired two government officials following a deadly stampede at the Citadelle Laferriere that left at least 25 people dead.
On Tuesday, the ministry announced the dismissal of a director from the Institute for the Preservation of National Heritage and another ministry employee. The ministry accused the director of "serious negligence" and criticized the second official for "biased passivity," according to aljazeera.com.
Nine people are currently in custody in connection with the tragedy, including five police officers and two employees from the heritage institute. The crush occurred Saturday during a local DJ event at the 19th-century fortress.
Heavy rain and stormy weather worsened the situation as participants at the event ran for cover, according to the report. The movement of people trying to exit while others pushed to enter created the fatal bottleneck at the site's entrance.
National mourning and climate crisis
Haiti has entered three days of national mourning. The ministry stated that the tragedy at the citadel is the result of "administrative negligence" and noted that the government "will fully assume its responsibilities."
The stampede coincided with severe weather across northern Haiti, where heavy downpours killed approximately 12 people. Flooding has destroyed at least 900 homes and one hospital in the region, aljazeera.com reported.
The deaths at the citadel occur as the Haitian government prepares for general elections later this year. The administration is simultaneously managing a surge in gang-related violence that has claimed over 5,500 lives since March 2025.
In the Marigot commune, seven people were killed and a police station was burned during an overnight gang attack. Marigot Mayor Rene Danneau described the victims as informants who assisted the police.
"We are asking the prime minister to take all necessary measures," Danneau told Radio Television Caraibes, according to the outlet.
