At least 30 people were killed in a stampede at a historic fortress in Haiti on Saturday, according to Culture Minister Emmanuel Menard. The incident occurred during a tourism event in the city of Milot, and authorities confirmed that the injured are receiving medical treatment, though the exact number of those hurt remains unclear.

Prime Minister Alix Didier Fils-Aimé expressed deep condolences and said the tragedy took place amid a large gathering of young people attending the event. He confirmed that an investigation has been launched to determine the cause of the stampede. Local media reported that the event drew a large crowd of students and visitors after being promoted on social media.

The fortress, built shortly after Haiti gained independence from France by revolutionary leader Henri Christophe, stands as a national symbol of freedom and is recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

At least 70 people were killed and 30 others injured in a series of gang attacks in Haiti’s Artibonite region, according to a human rights organization cited by Al Jazeera. The violence erupted near the Petit-Rivière area, known as the country’s breadbasket, and continued from early Sunday through Monday morning. The group’s figures far exceed the government’s official death toll of 16. Witnesses reported that gang members set homes on fire and caused widespread destruction.

The rights group Défenseurs Plus said around 6,000 people were displaced by the attacks, while the United Nations estimated that over 2,000 had already fled earlier violence. A UN spokesperson stated that the organization is closely monitoring the situation and believes the death toll could range between 10 and 80. In a joint statement with the Collective to Save the Artibonite, Défenseurs Plus accused authorities of failing to maintain security and effectively abandoning the region to armed groups.

An audio message circulating on social media featured gang leader Lackson Elan claiming the assault was retaliation for an attack by a rival faction. The Artibonite region, a key agricultural zone, has recently become one of Haiti’s most violent areas despite government pledges to strengthen security.

The United States has deployed several warships off the coast of Haiti amid a worsening political crisis and rising gang violence. US military officials confirmed on Tuesday that the USS Stockdale, USCGC Stone, and USCGC Diligence have entered the Bay of Port-au-Prince. In a statement on social media, the US Embassy said the naval presence reflects Washington’s strong commitment to Haiti’s security, stability, and a brighter future. The deployment was ordered by US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth as part of Operation Southern Spear, a regional mission targeting drug traffickers in the Caribbean and eastern Pacific.

Haiti faces renewed political uncertainty as the term of its Presidential Transitional Council is set to expire on February 7. The country has not held elections since 2016, and former Prime Minister Ariel Henry resigned in 2024 under pressure from escalating gang violence. Large parts of Haiti remain under the control of rival armed groups accused of murder, rape, and kidnapping.

The United States has also imposed new visa restrictions on several senior Haitian officials accused of supporting or being linked to armed gangs.