Haiti carnival accident: 18 die as powerline falls in Port au Prince

A powerline which fell on a carnival float in Haiti has killed at least 18 people and injured 60.

Thousands of people had been attending the carnival in Port au Prince.

Witnesses have reported people using sticks to move the electricity line in an effort to let the floats pass.

Some of the deaths were caused by electrocution and others in the panic which gripped the event after the incident.

President Michael Martelly has taken to Twitter to give his condolences to families affected.

He said: “My sincere sympathy to the victims of the serious incident at Champ de Mars on the second day of carnival.”