Performers from the Beija Flor (top) and Unidos da Tijuca samba schools parade during carnival celebrations at the Sambadrome in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, yesterday. Photos: Leo Correa/APAt least three people have been electrocuted in Brazil while standing on a carnival float that hit a power line, officials say.
The Light power company said the float hit one of its lines in the city of Nova Iguacu on the outskirts of Rio de Janeiro.
The company confirmed three people died in the accident, and firefighters said at least one other person was taken to hospital and three were treated at the scene.
The accident happened when a float carrying speakers for a street party brushed against the power line.
A similar accident took place in Haiti, where at least 20 people were killed.
The Brazil accident came on the second night of festivities at the Rio de Janeiro Carnival, which had a theme of the fight against racism.
Some samba groups put together dance numbers to honour Afro-Brazilian heritage, and one built a giant Nelson Mandela float to remind people of his fight for equality, while calling for more racial integration in the South American country.