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Haiti bus crash: At least 34 killed as driver 'attempts to flee scene of accident' Haiti bus crash: At least 34 killed as driver 'attempts to flee scene of accident'
(about 1 hour later)
At least 34 people have been killed and 17 more are injured after a bus crashed into a crowd in northern Haiti, according to the country's civil protection authorities.At least 34 people have been killed and 17 more are injured after a bus crashed into a crowd in northern Haiti, according to the country's civil protection authorities.
The bus, which was coming from Cap Haitien to the capital Port-au-Prince, crashed outside the town of Gonaives, the authorities said. The bus, which was coming from Cap Haitien to the capital Port-au-Prince, crashed outside the town of Gonaives at around 3am on Sunday, the authorities said.
Marie-Alta Jean Baptiste, the director of the Civil Protection Authority, told Agence France Presse the bus first hit two people, killing one and wounding another, before the driver attempted to flee and, hitting three bands of Rara musicians – a type of traditional Haitian street performer – during a parade.Marie-Alta Jean Baptiste, the director of the Civil Protection Authority, told Agence France Presse the bus first hit two people, killing one and wounding another, before the driver attempted to flee and, hitting three bands of Rara musicians – a type of traditional Haitian street performer – during a parade.
It was not immediately clear what caused the accident. The driver and passengers on the bus were being held at the police station, said Patrick Cherilus, a Civil Protection spokesman for the department of Artibonite. It was not immediately clear what caused the accident. The driver fled the seen and is currently being sought.
After the accident, other musicians and people in the parade began hurling rocks at the bus and passing vehicles, injuring other people, said Albert Moulion, the Ministry of the Interior's spokesman. After the accident, other musicians and people in the parade began hurling rocks at the bus and attempted to set it on fire but police were able to rescue the passengers onboard.
Haitian roads are dangerous and chaotic, with few rules observed by pedestrians, motorcyclists and drivers.Haitian roads are dangerous and chaotic, with few rules observed by pedestrians, motorcyclists and drivers.
Parades featuring Rara musicians, who perform with traditional instruments and are often joined by their audience, are common at this time of year as the country gears up for the celebration of Easter.Parades featuring Rara musicians, who perform with traditional instruments and are often joined by their audience, are common at this time of year as the country gears up for the celebration of Easter.
Additional reporting by ReutersAdditional reporting by Reuters