Bus accident: Carnival parade called off in Panaji

In the wake of a road mishap in which six persons were killed, the Goa government has called off the customary Carnival parade to be held here today and is taking a call on the similar performances to be held in other cities, an official said.

"The government has decided to call off the scheduled float parade in Panaji, which was slated to happen within few hours of the accident that killed eight people, including five school students," he said.

Four children were among six persons killed today when a school bus plunged into the Kalvi River at Aldona village, 30km from here.

The processions are organised in major cities, including Margao, Ponda, Vasco and Mapusa as part of the annual carnival.

The carnival is celebrated in the coastal state for three days and nights, when the legendary King Momo takes over the state and the streets come alive with music and color.

Huge parades are organised throughout the state with bands, dances and floats out all night on the streets, and grand balls held in the evenings.

The state government had made all preparations for the gala event and thousands of revellers had actually thronged historic DB Bandodkar road to see the parade.

On the processions to be held in other cities, Tourism Director Swapnil Naik said a high-level meeting has been convened tonight to take a final call on the issue.

The parades were scheduled to be held at Margao, one of Goa's prominent tourist hubs, tomorrow and in Ponda and Vasco on February 20 and on February 21 in Mapusa.

On an average, 30,000 revellers comprising locals and tourists participate in the annual event.