Published on : Wednesday, February 18, 2015
At least 20 people were killed and more than 78 injured after an electricity cable struck people taking part in the annual Carnival celebrations in Haiti.
Some of the victims were electrocuted while others died in the ensuing panic.
The accident occurred as thousands of people filled the streets of downtown Port-au-Prince for the raucous annual celebration.
Prime Minister Evans Paul declared three official days of mourning for the impoverished Caribbean country.
Haitian officials canceled Tuesday’s third and final day of Carnival events and announced a state funeral and vigil on Saturday for the victims.
Haiti’s rambunctious three-day annual street parade coincides with other Mardi Gras celebrations around the world and attracts large nighttime crowds eager to witness competing bands atop highly decorated floats.
It is a common practice in Haiti and elsewhere to have someone positioned atop a parade float to move low-hanging power lines.
In Brazil, officials said three people were killed early Tuesday when they were electrocuted while standing atop a Carnival float that hit a power line on the outskirts of Rio de Janeiro.
Tags: haiti
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