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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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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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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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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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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

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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Falling Power Line causes Deaths and Injuries at Carnival Parade

The tragedy has prompted the government to take steps to avoid another high-voltage power line incident. It will first form an inter-agency commission to investigate and produce a report. Minister of Communications Rotchild Junior said the government would conduct a safety inspection of all overhead high-tension cables to protect homes and people riding in traffic. The government also wants to draw up a plan to update the EDH, Haiti's state utility company. Junior added from here on out all large outdoor celebrations would be required to pass a public safety inspection.

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Haiti's Carnival celebration was cut short by an accident occurring during a parade, killing more than a dozen and injuring several dozen more. In the midst of thousands of spectators lining the streets of Port-au-Prince, the float upon which hip-hop group Barikad Crew (BC) was riding hit an overhead power line. BC lead vocalist Fantom was struck by the falling power line but not killed. Video cameras captured the incident showing sparks shooting off the wire, shocking other people caught in the path of the flailing cable.

Estimates of those killed ranged from 16 to 20. Those injured as a result of pandemonium were estimated to be 78. General Hospital physician Dr. Joel Desire believed the majority of deaths resulted from being stomped to death by panicked and fleeing people. Prime Minister Paul decreed three days of national mourning for the victims, and a candlelight vigil be held at the accident site.

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Time for joy - Haiti Kanaval 2015

President Martelly, First Lady Sophia, and Prime Minister Paul attended a candlelight vigil at the accident site, where they experienced a moment of silence for the victims. Condolences flooded in from the international community. The U.S. State Department spokesperson, Jen Psaki, and UN delegate, Sandra Honore, both expressed their deepest sympathies to the families.

Haitian hip-hop group Barikad Crew was aboard the float, one of whose members unwittingly touched the power line, causing it to fall, precipitating the accident and ensuing chaos. Barikad Crew's lead vocalist Fantom was hit by the power line and remains in critical condition at hospital.

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Haiti Party atmosphere - Haiti Kanaval 2015

Tragedy struck during the second day of Haiti's Carnival celebration. An action on the part of a celebrant led to the deaths of 18 people and 78 injured. It was reported a parade participant sitting atop a float utilized a stick to raise a high-voltage power line to allow the float to pass beneath it. The power line fell, electrocuting several people in the crowd. The accident began a stampede by panicked bystanders, causing the deaths of many as well as injuries to others.

The Haitian government declared three days of mourning for the victims after canceling the final day of Carnival. The dead will be given a state funeral, and flags hoisted to half-mast on public buildings in honor of those deceased and injured. The Port-au-Prince morgue was besieged by families trying to find out if their loved ones had been brought there.

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