Wednesday, February 25, 2015

Shocking End to Haitian Celebration

Maybe I'll shock you by ending the blog early today.

"Float accident at Haiti Carnival parade kills at least 16" Associated Press  February 18, 2015

PORT-AU-PRINCE — At least 16 people were killed early Tuesday in the Haitian capital after a man on top of a musical group’s Carnival float was shocked by high-voltage wires above the street, setting off a panic in which dozens of people were trampled, officials said.

The accident occurred as thousands of people filled the streets of downtown Port-au-Prince for the raucous annual celebration. Video from the scene showed sparks coursing from the wire after a singer from the Haitian hip-hop group Barikad Crew was jolted by the overhead power line as the float passed beneath it. The cable appeared to have shocked several others as well.

Prime Minister Evans Paul said 16 people were confirmed dead and 78 were injured. His statement conflicted with earlier reports on the number of casualties. Nadia Lochard, a coordinator for the Department of Civil Protection, had said at least 20 people were killed.

Paul declared three days of mourning for the country. Officials canceled a final day of Carnival events and announced a state funeral and vigil on Saturday for the victims.

The singer hit by the power cable was expected to survive.

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So what's up with the cholera epidemic, how is the rebuilding going, and where did all the loot Bill Clinton and George W. Bush were supposed to look after go?