Kanaval accident

Here is a picture taken on Mardi Gras, following the Kanaval accident where 18 people got killedKanaval Accident in Haiti

On 17 February, around 8:00 GMT, the Mardi Gras float of the Barikad Crew got electrocuted on Rue Capois while it was passing under a high tension electric cable near the Champ de Mars. Star rapper of the group, known as "Phantom", was reported to be one of the first victims to receive the electric shock. According to a doctor who spoke to radio station, Zenith-FM, he is hopeful about Phantom's recovery. A singer of the band who was performing on the float, used a stick to move the power line to letting the float to pass; the person attempted was instantly electrocuted. A post in the 'You Tube' shows that the electric cable caught the head of a singer from the hip-hop band 'Barikad Crew' while the Mardi Gras float was passing the presidential stand packed with spectators. A three- day State mourning has been declared till Saturday, on the day of the State funeral. This is a common practice in many countries to have someone positioned atop a parade float to move low-hanging power lines. Recently, on the same day, another similar incident has taken three lives in Brazil.

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20 people Electrocuted in Haitian Carnival Barikad Crew float

On February 17th, while celebrating the Final moment of the Mardi Gras Carnival in Port-au-Prince before the Ash Wednesday, over 20 people were electrocuted on a float and more than 60 people were injured of stampede in an ensuing panic by the bystanders when a carnival float hit a power line. As per recent report 16 people have been died after the incident. The accident happened a little before 8:00 AM GMT, when someone on the float used a pole to move a live power line out of the way so that the float could pass under it. Hundreds of people had rushed to the hospitals, some carrying the victims and others searching for their family members and friends. Later on the same day, the new Haitian Prime Minister Evans Paul arranged a silent condolence parade on the Champ de Mars where the accident occurred. The Haitian President Martelly has expressed his deepest sympathy to the victims on a twitter message.

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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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Here is a picture of the 17 caskets of the people who died in the Kanaval accident in Haiti in 2015

National Funeral held for 17 Carnival Victims

The government has vowed it would produce an inter-agency report concerning the deadly incident. The government's promises aside, outraged Haitians spilled into the streets to demonstrate against government negligence that created the conditions for the power line to explode, killing 17 and injuring 76.

Carnival entertainers and the deceased's family members attacked the Martelly-Paul government for its laxity in protecting the safety of thousands at the mammoth festival. The common practice of using a stick to clear overhead power lines during Carnival is stupid and dangerous, and the government needs to seriously consider installing underground power cables before the next Carnival.

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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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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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