16 confirmed dead after carnival parade accident

At least 16 people have been confirmed dead in Haiti after an accident occurred during a carnival parade.

The incident resulted in a stampede as panicking celebrators ran helter-skelter leaving 16 people dead and 78 others injured.

The unfortunate occurrence was due to an "accident following an electrical shock", Haitian Communications Minister Rothschild Francis Junior said.

"My sincerest sympathies (are) with the victims of the grave incident this morning at the Champ de Mars celebrating Mardi Gras Carnaval," Haitian President Michel Martelly said in response to the incident.

The final day of the Mardi Gras celebrations has been cancelled and a three-day mourning period has been declared in honour of the victims.