At least 19 people, including eight children, were treated for burns after a fireworks explosion set fire to costumes during a carnival in the Dominican Republic.
The injured were standing next to a stage before the start of festivities in the northern town of Salcedo on Sunday afternoon when fireworks inexplicably went off.
Shocking videos captured the moment the victims were dancing in the middle of the street when one of their costumes was set on fire. The person could be seen removing parts of his outfit before the flames spread.
Others ran through the streets, engulfed in flames, as bystanders watched in horror and did their best to throw water and ice in an attempt to save the victims.
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Nineteen people were injured on Sunday in Salcedo, Dominican Republic, after their carnival costumes were set on fire following an unexpected fireworks explosion
Eight of the 19 injured were treated for second- and third-degree burns
Another participant could be seen rolling on the sidewalk and standing on his feet as he frantically tried to remove his costume as the flames spread uncontrollably.
Carnival goers rushed to the person’s aid, throwing down a bucket of ice and bottled water to get the fire under control.
However, the victim ran into the street hoping that the flames would go out. Another injured participant nearby fell to the ground as good Samaritans used shirts in an attempt to extinguish the fire.
The victims were rushed to trauma hospitals in Santiago, San Francisco de Macorís and Santo Domingo.
Carnival visitors came to the aid of a group of participants who took part in a parade on Sunday. At least eight of the 19 injured suffered second- and third-degree burns
A man used a shirt to put out the flames while a carnival participant’s costume was on fire
The victims were rushed to trauma hospitals in Santiago, San Francisco de Macorís and Santo Domingo
Eight of the injured suffered second- and third-degree burns, Listín Diario newspaper reported.
“The incident, which is being investigated by authorities, took place just before the start of Carnival,” said Diego Pesqueira, spokesman for the Dominican Republic’s National Police.
“The pyrotechnic devices directed their path toward a crowd that was there.”
The remaining festivities during the carnival, which were due to end on Sunday, were cancelled.