25 or 30 dead? About sixty buses at the foot of the Citadelle Laferrière: a State in contradiction

The rain, the panic, the single access route… and the tragedy.

The tragedy that occurred on Saturday, April 11, 2026 at the Citadelle Laferrière continues to provoke emotion, anger, and questions. While images of the chaos circulate widely, authorities are attempting to impose an official account of the facts—but it is already being challenged.

In a statement issued by the Haitian National Police (PNH), through its Communications Directorate (DICOP), the provisional toll reports 25 deaths and approximately 30 injured. The police specify that:

13 bodies were counted at the Milot hospital 12 others at the Citadel site itself

The statement also indicates that Justice of the Peace Mirlène Charles conducted the legal assessments, which began on Saturday night around 11:15 PM and continued until Sunday morning.

An investigation has been officially opened to “determine the exact circumstances of the tragedy,” while the PNH calls on the population to remain calm and avoid spreading rumors.

But this version is far from unanimous.

Minister of Culture Emmanuel Ménard, for his part, mentions at least 30 deaths (17 + 13), while numerous testimonies on social media speak of an even higher toll. With videos as evidence, internet users denounce a deliberate underestimation of the number of victims.

This contradiction fuels a climate of mistrust. Because beyond the numbers, the facts are damning.

Today, the official response remains typical: condolences, investigation, promises.

Prime Minister Alix Didier Fils-Aimé expressed his sadness. The Citadel is closed “until further notice.”

But for many, this is no longer enough.

On his TikTok page, the TikToker claimed to have ended his participation in the activity himself and to have invited participants to return home, which he says he did with his own family. It was only after his departure that he claims to have learned what had happened.

The event, promoted on TikTok under the name “Citadel Vibes 3.0,” had received no official authorization, as acknowledged by the Milot mayor’s office. Yet thousands of young people flocked to this historic site, without supervision, without security measures, without an evacuation plan.

TikToker @dope_fresh also clarified that he was not the only one to have issued invitations, noting that more than 60 buses were parked at the foot of the Citadel.

Finally, he pointed out that this type of gathering was not its first edition, suggesting that it was an already known and recurring event, where several independent groups were also present on site.

In public opinion, one question now prevails: how many deaths are there really?

As long as this answer remains unclear, the crisis will not only be a security crisis—it will also be a crisis of confidence.

The Citadelle Laferrière, a symbol of resistance, today becomes the mirror of an overwhelmed State, incapable of protecting its youth… and perhaps even of telling the whole truth.

Editorial staff