Haiti Cancels Carnival Celebration After Float Accident Kills 18

Following a Carnival float accident that left 18 dead Tuesday, Haiti ended their annual Carnival celebration early to mourn the victims.

At least 18 people died and 60 were injured when a float carrying the rap group Barikad Crew collided with a high-voltage power line, resulting in several people on the float dying of electrocution and the subsequent fire that broke out.

The majority of fatalities resulted from the stampede of panicked bystanders after the power line collided with the float. One of the members of Barikad Crew, Fantom, was injured when the power line struck him in the head.

Haiti's Prime Minister Evans Paul announced Tuesday afternoon that the remainder of Carnival celebrations leading up to Mardi Gras would be cancelled and the country would exhibit three days of mourning for the victims.

"We are telling the people of Haiti that we must be in solidarity," Paul said while accompanied by his wife Sophia Martelly, who earlier that day visited hospitals where those injured in the incident were being cared for.

"We are all Haiti," Paul added.

The prime minister also encouraged all Haitians to wear white at 5:00 p.m. Tuesday to show their solidarity with those affected by the accident.

Jean Monestime, Chairman of the Board of Miami-Dade County Commission, also issued a statement offering his deepest sympathies to those involved in the incident.

"My prayers and thoughts are with everyone affected by this morning's accident in Haiti. I extend my deepest sympathies to the families and friends of those who lost their lives today, whether living on the island or abroad, and I pray for the recovery of the injured," Monestime added.