At least 20 people killed when Haiti Carnival float electrocuted

Tragedy strikes a carnival parade in Haiti

(Image credit: Instagram/iamtico)

published 17 February 2015

A festive Mardi Gras parade in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, turned tragic on Tuesday when a float sponsored by Haitian hip-hop group Barikad Crew ran into a power line, electrocuting several people and killing several more in the ensuing panic. Haitian officials tell The Associated Press that at least 20 people died, while Reuters reports 18 deaths and 60 injuries. Reuters, citing video of the accident, says that a Barikad Crew singer's head hit the high-voltage line; AP, citing witnesses, said that someone on the float used a pole to lift up the wire so the Carnival float could pass under.

A photo posted by Tico Armand (@iamtico) on Feb 17, 2015 at 12:45am PST

Subscribe to The Week

Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

SUBSCRIBE & SAVE

https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/flexiimages/jacafc5zvs1692883516.jpg

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters

From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.

Explore More

Peter has worked as a news and culture writer and editor at The Week since the site's launch in 2008. He covers politics, world affairs, religion and cultural currents. His journalism career began as a copy editor at a financial newswire and has included editorial positions at The New York Times Magazine, Facts on File, and Oregon State University.

Subscribe to The Week

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters

Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox