Fantom

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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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 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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