Haiti Carnival Parade Tragedy, Float Electrocuted, 20 Presumed Dead

An annual Carnival celebration in Haiti took a turn for the worse when a large float struck a low-hanging power line, electrocuting individuals on the float and sending others running in panic. Thousands of Haitians an tourists filled the Port-au-Prince streets for the three day celebration. 16 floats were scheduled to participate in the parade, the float affected was sponsored by local hip-hop group, Barikad Crew. Some of those on the float were struck, others jumped off just in time.

Typically, there is someone that sits atop of the floats to move low hanging wires to avoid such a tragedy, but the method determines the risk. Witnesses at the scene claim it was possibly a person using a pole that created the current.

Officials have not confirmed if someone was stationed at the top of the wire and what was used to move the wire. Currently, sources are unable to confirm the exact number of deaths. A law enforcement official advised some of deceased were killed while on the float, but others died while fleeing from the float, and caught by a stampede of panicked celebrators. A local reporter shared they witnessed seeing 13 bodies outside of the local general hospital, a few with severe injuries. The Barikad Crew’s lead rapper is currently in critical condition following the incident.

On Tuesday, while Haiti was handling the tragic electrocution incident, Brazil was also undergoing a similar incident.

A parade underway outside of Rio de Janeiro turned tragic when a float there also hit a low-lying wire. Three people died at the scene when the float, carting speakers for the event, brushed against the power line.

A witness in Haiti said once the power line was struck, panic ensued and a massive stampede took place. Doctors confirmed the majority of the dead were not electrocuted but became victims of panicked partiers who rushed from the scene, running over others in the process.

Haitian officials will make the announcement at a later time to determine if the parade will continue.