Haiti revises death toll from Carnival accident, reports 17 killed and 6 still hospitalized

PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti _ The Haitian government is revising the death toll from an accident involving a Carnival float, lowering it by one.

Communications Minister Rothchild Francois says 17 people were killed. The government previously had said 18 died, but Francois said one of the victims had been counted twice at the morgue.

Francois said six people remained hospitalized Friday and all were in stable condition.

The accident occurred early Tuesday when a singer atop a Carnival float touched a power line over the street. That led to panic in the crowded streets, resulting in a stampede.

The singer survived the accident. Authorities have not said whether any of those who died were electrocuted.

A public funeral for the 17 victims is scheduled for Saturday.

The Associated Press