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Carnival or Kanaval

The Biggest Celebration in Haiti - Haiti Kanaval Picture 2015

The Biggest Celebration in Haiti - Haiti Kanaval Picture 2015

The Biggest Celebration in Haiti - Haiti Kanaval Picture 2015

What is called Mardi Gras in New Orleans is better known in Haiti as 'Carnival'. The celebration of Mardi Gras in Haiti begins every year on January 6 (on Twelfth Night ) and culminates in a four-day party that ends on Mardi Gras, i.e., the day preceding Ash Wednesday (the first day of Lenten season). In some countries Mardi Gras or Shrove Tuesday is also known as Pancake Day as they consume pancakes on this day. However, the preparation for the celebration begins much earlier in Haiti. Young adults and children begin making their masks as early as in October. Every Sunday, between January 6 and the Lent,people come out on the streets to watch and participate in the colorful processions of singing and dancing. Carnival bands play drums and trumpets on the streets and as the time proceeds towards the Lent, everything gradually becomes more and more elaborate.

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United States Ambassador Pamela L. White in Jacmel Kanaval

United States Ambassador Pamela L. White in Jacmel Kanaval

Here is a picture of the United States Ambassador Pamela L. White as she is enjoying herself in Jacmel Kanaval in 2015

U.S. Ambassador to Haiti, Pamela White, has been a 35-year career diplomat. After earning degrees in journalism and international development she joined the Peace Corps from 1971-1973.

She worked for U.S. Agency for International Development in Africa from 1978-2001. In 2010 President Obama appointed her U.S. Ambassador to Gambia (she received the Medal of Honor, rarely awarded to foreigners), and in 2012 as Ambassador to Haiti.

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Daniel Darinus, Fantom, recovering from burns in Miami

Daniel Darinus, Fantom, recovering from burns in Miami

Here are some of the pictures of Haitian singer Daniel Darinu, known as "Fantom" as he is recovering in Miami from burns sustained at the Kaaval accident in February, 2015.

Barikad Crew's vocalist Fantom was electrocuted by a low-hanging power line during Carnival. Hit in the face, he passed out as a blinding light flashed in the air. He is being treated for burns in South Florida, crediting God for saving his life. He is making a good recovery and will be back in Haiti for the release of his latest CD.

The electrocution of Fantom caused a stampede, and 17 victims lost their lives.

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Funeral Nationak for the Victims of Kanaval accident

Funeral Nationak for the Victims of Kanaval accident

On Saturday, February 21, 2015, there was a national funeral fpr all 17 Victims of Kanaval accident.

Haitian Prime Minister Evans Paul officiated at a national funeral held for 17 people killed by being trampled to death during the 2015 Carnival. The deceased's caskets were each covered with the Haitian flag. The funeral took place at Champ de Mars Park, and was also attended by President Martelly and First Lady Sophia.

The incident that started the stampede occurred when singer Daniel Darinus, perched atop one of 16 parade floats, failed to clear a low-lying high-voltage cable. He mistakenly thought he had cleared all cables in the path of the float and became distracted by the crowd of parade watchers. It was reported his head hit the power line, which shocked him, generating a loud explosion along with a bright flash. The crowd panicked, causing a stampede. Darinus sustained serious burns that he was treated for at the general hospital.

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Kanaval victims, list of the victims

Kanaval victims, list of the victims

Here is a listing of the 17 people who were killed in the 2015 Kanaval in Haiti

Government Negligence Contributed to Carnival Deaths

It would be more accurate to say the government's negligence regarding public safety set up the conditions causing the accident. By this is meant it is customary for a designated person atop a float to clear low-lying power lines, an obviously hazardous practice. In addition to the 17 confirmed dead, 78 other individuals were injured.

One can speculate on the reason for a national funeral and the government absorbing the cost of the caskets and flags: it is trying to assuage its conscience in front of a nation that knows it failed to protect the public safety by allowing a dangerous practice to continue.

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President Michel Martelly with Family victimes - Kanaval accident

President Michel Martelly with Family victimes - Kanaval accident

Here is a picture of President Michel Martelly as he is comforting the families and relatives of the victimes of Kanaval accident

Champ de Mars Park was the site of a national funeral for the 17 people, who died during a stampede on day two of 2015 Carnival. The Haitian government supplied white caskets, adorned with the Haitian flag for the deceased. The caskets were lined up beneath a stage upon which President Martelly, First Lady Sophia, and Prime Minister Paul met with the victims' family members, relatives, and friends. Some of the bereaved fainted and had to be carried off the stage.

The stampede began after singer Daniel Darinus, atop a parade float, hit a low-lying high-tension power line while being distracted by the crowds. The power line exploded with a brilliant white flash, burning Darinus severely and triggering a wild stampede away from the area. Darinus, hospitalized for his injuries, stated ". . . an unexpected move forward caused the accident"

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Fantom in hospital following Kanaval accident

Fantom in hospital following Kanaval accident

This is a picture of Fantom from Barikad crew as he was receiving care in a hospital following Kanaval accident

One parade witness reported she ". . . saw the wire falling and sparks and . . . started running for my life" Another witness stated ". . . the crowd seemed to surge all at once . . . I saw people running so I did too"

Video captured ambulance emergency personnel running past crowds of people carrying the stricken on stretchers. The hospital grounds were crammed with hundreds bearing victims or seeking information about family members. As victims were confirmed dead a wailing rose up. The hospital morgue was flooded with the dead.

Prime Minister Paul announced three days of national mourning and ordered the last day of Carnival cancelled. Government officials announced there would be a state funeral for the deceased, and a candlelight vigil for all the victims.

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Presisent Michel Martelly at the site of the Kanaval accident

Presisent Michel Martelly at the site of the Kanaval accident

Here is the Haitian President Michel Martelly paying respect to the people who died during the Kanaval accident where many people in the float of Barikad Crew were electrocuted

16 Dead in Carnival Accident: State Funeral to be held for Deceased

Haiti's Carnival celebration was interrupted when an overhead high-tension cable fell as a parade float attempted to pass underneath it. A man aboard the float had been trying to move the cable out of the way with a stick, and was electrocuted when the sparking cable swung through the air, shocking him. Others on the float were shocked as well, yet some others managed to escape by leaping off the float.

The sparking, swinging cable created a panic among thousands of parade watchers, starting a stampede, killing some caught underfoot and injuring many more. The casualties totaled 16 dead at last count, with 78 more injured.

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Fantom from Barikad Crew electrocuted during Carnival

Fantom from Barikad Crew electrocuted during Carnival

Here is a picture of the singer Fantom from Barikad Crew as he was electrocuted during the Carnival season in 2015

Sixteen Carnival Deaths motivate Government to Implement Safety Measures

Haiti has a practice whereby someone aboard a parade float is called upon to use an object to move lethal, low-hanging wires away from the passing float. This seems like an ill-advised and potentially hazardous custom, and it is surprising the government has been negligent in this aspect of public safety. But it always takes a tragedy to motivate officials to take action to prevent further deadly incidents.

The government is now formulating a plan to update its state public utility, EDH, and running some power lines beneath the parade route for its next Carnival.

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Major accident during Haiti Kanaval

Major accident during Haiti Kanaval

Major accident during Haiti Kanaval

Haitian Prime Minister Evans Paul decreed three days of national mourning for 16 people electrocuted and killed by a falling overhead power line during the 2015 Carnival parade. Another 78 people were either killed or injured during a stampede away from the sparking cable flailing in the air.

Eyewitnesses at the parade said a person seated atop one of 16 floats in the parade took a stick and tried to move a power line in the path of the float. Suddenly the power line fell, electrocuting a member of Barikad Crew, its lead vocalist Fantom, who survived. Some people were able to escape injury, but others could not avoid being struck by the sparking cable. Paul cancelled the last day of Carnival, and his government will hold a state funeral for the deceased as well as a candlelight vigil at the accident site for all victims.

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