(CARICOM Secretariat, Turkeyen, Greater Georgetown, Guyana)     CARICOM Secretary-General Ambassador Irwin LaRocque has extended the Community’s condolences to families of the persons who lost their lives in the tragic accident during this week’s Carnival celebrations in Haiti.

In a message to the President of Haiti, His Excellency Michel Martelly, the Secretary General also expressed the Community’s hope for a speedy recovery of the many others who were injured.

The incident, reportedly triggered by an electric shock on a Carnival parade float, resulted in at least 16 deaths and injury to several persons.

Full statement:

"The Caribbean Community (CARICOM) is deeply saddened by the unfortunate event which resulted in the death of at least 16 persons and injury to several more during the annual Carnival celebrations in the streets of Port-au-Prince.  This tragic incident which occurred in the early hours of the morning of Tuesday, 17 February is made all the more painful given the joyous atmosphere which descends on the capital and the merriment which consumes the populace during this major cultural event.

We join with the families who have lost loved ones in sharing their sorrow and hope for a speedy recovery of the many other persons who were injured.

The Community extends its condolences to the bereaved families and to the Government and People of Haiti as they cope with this distressing incident.  We know that the resilience of the Haitian people will give them the strength to overcome this time of pain and bereavement.”