Haiti Carnival Float Accident Leaves 18 Dead, 60 Injured

Haiti's annual Carnival festival took a fatal turn early Tuesday when a parade float hit power lines, killing 18 and injuring 60.

The incident occurred in the early hours of Tuesday in the country's capital of Port-au-Prince. The float, carrying the rap artist Fantom, was passing by the presidential stand filled with spectators when it hit overhanging power lines. Some standing on the float were killed instantaneously, while others were killed due to the panic that ensued after.

Tuesday marks the second day of Carnival in Haiti, where thousands gather in the streets to celebrate the lead up to Mardi Gras.

According to the Haitian-Caribbean News Network, the float, which was also carrying the Barikad Crew rap group, caught fire from the high-voltage power lines as it was moving past Rue Capois in the Champ de Mars area. Police say the majority of victims were killed by electrocution when the power line made contact with the float.

"It is a real tragedy. We have done all we could to try to revive and save a number of them, but unfortunately it was not possible," Dr. Max Saint-Albin of Haiti's First Lady Hospital told the local media outlet of the incident.

According to Reuters, President Michel Martelly has expressed his "sincerest sympathies" for those wounded and killed in Tuesday's incident, and his wife has reportedly made rounds at local hospitals visiting the injured.

Witnesses have recalled the incident to local media outlets. Natacha Saint Fleur, a 22-year-old celebrating near the float, told NBC News that she "saw the wire falling and sparks and I started running for my life."