Haitis Ministry of Culture fires two officials after deadly stampede at the Citadelle

Two officials of the Haitian government have been dismissed from their positions on Tuesday after a stampede occurred over the weekend at the Citadel site, which resulted in the death of 25 people.

The Ministry of Culture and Communication announced in a statement the firing of a director of the National Heritage Preservation Institute. He is accused of “grave negligence”. Another director of the ministry was also dismissed for “partial passivity” according to authorities.

The stampede took place on Saturday at the Citadel, a historic fortress and tourist site located in the northern part of the country. An event was organized there by a local DJ through social networks. It was also announced using loudspeakers installed on a vehicle moving through the neighborhoods.

In its statement, the ministry considers this tragedy to be related to “administrative negligence”, without delving into the details of the ongoing investigation. It also states that the state “will fully assume its responsibilities”.

Dozens of people were injured during the stampede. On Monday evening, authorities announced that 30 hospitalized people were able to leave.

Nine suspects have been arrested as part of the investigation, including five police officers. The prosecutor of Cap-Haitien, Eno Zephirin, specified on Tuesday that the exact causes of the stampede are still under investigation. He did not disclose the identities of two of the suspects. Two others were identified as employees of the National Heritage Preservation Institute, which manages the Citadel site.