Haiti cancels last day of Carnival after 16 die in float accident

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By Amelie Baron PORT-AU-PRINCE (Reuters) - At least 16 people were killed and 78 injured early on Tuesday when a singer on a Carnival float hit an overhead power line in Port-au-Prince, setting off a stampede by bystanders, officials said. The tragedy in Haiti's capital prompted the government to cancel the last day of Carnival - the raucous celebrations preceding the start of Lent - and to declare three days of national mourning. Amateur video of the nighttime accident posted on YouTube showed a large flash as the high-voltage power line caught a popular singer known as Fantom atop the float as it passed near the presidential stand, which was packed with spectators. Prime Minister Evans Paul held a news conference to announce the cancellation of Carnival and three days of mourning.




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