On Saturday, thousands made their way into Haiti's main public park in order to show their respects to the 17 victims who recently died in an accident that involved a carnival float.

The tragic accident happened early Tuesday when singer Daniel Darinus, riding on a carnival float, touched a power line, which then caused the crowd to panic. A stampede resulted from the commotion.

Aside from the dead, at least 78 others were injured.

The event to honor the dead was also a display of solidarity as many mourners wore white T-shirts with a phrase, printed in Creole, that said, "In good times, in bad times, we're all Haitians."

According to The Associated Press, Haitian flags were placed over the white caskets draped, which were lined up before a stage. There, government officials, such as President Michel Martelly and Prime Minister Evans Paul, stood to talk the relatives and friends of the victims.

According to Reuters, the prime minister, relaying to the audience how he had lost his sister in a soccer stadium accident in 1976, said to the crowd, "It's a way to tell you we all during our lives had a time we were in pain."

The event was charged with emotion as a number of mourners cried and collapsed at the Champ de Mars park in Port-au-Prince and were led away from the caskets.

"I came here to grieve with the families and tell them that we also feel the pain of losing their loved ones," said Herold Charles Civil, a 37-year-old preacher who attended the government-sponsored funeral.

After the deadly accident Haitian officials canceled the third and final day of Carnival and declared three days of mourning.

Authorities have not said whether any of the 17 victims died from being electrocuted.

The Haitian singer was treated for burns and said an unexpected move forward is what caused the accident.

Four people are still in the hospital.

Related