2015 Haiti Carnival stampede
| Date | February 17, 2015 |
|---|---|
| Time | 2:48 AM |
| Location | Champ de Mars, Port-au-Prince, Haiti |
| Deaths | 18 (15 men + 3 women) |
| Non-fatal injuries | 78 |
| External videos | |
|---|---|
| Video hosted on YouTube |
On February 17, 2015, starting at around 2:48 AM, a stampede occurred during the traditional Mardi Gras parade on Champ de Mars in the Haitian capital Port-au-Prince. Initial reports stated that at least 16 people had died in the accident. The number was revised to 18 dead (15 men and 3 women) according to the Haitian Minister of Communications, Rotchild François Junior. Nadia Lochard, of the Department of Civil Protection, stated that 20 people were killed in the accident. In addition, 78 people were injured, according to Haiti Prime Minister Evans Paul.
The stampede occurred after a man participating on top of a Carnival float during the Mardi Gras was shocked by high-voltage wires. Video footage of the incident shows visible sparks that triggered the stampede. The man, known by his stage name Fantom, and part of the Haitian hip hop band Barikad Crew, survived the shock and was in stable condition.