Carnival parade in Panaji cancelled as Goa mourns tragedy

PANAJI: The Calvim bus tragedy in which seven passengers, including four school children, drowned, cast a pall of gloom over the state and the government immediately cancelled Carnival celebrations in the capital city, Panaji, minutes before the floats' parade was to commence.
Revellers, including domestic and foreign tourists, had started gradually gathering from 2pm along the parade route-D B Marg-even as the Carnival theme song blared from loudspeakers.
Most revellers were unaware of the bus tragedy that had taken place around 12.20pm at the Aldona-Calvim ferry point in Aldona village about 22km from Panaji.
The revellers were patiently anticipating the start of the float parade that was scheduled to start at 3pm.
Around 3.30pm the media was informed that the chief minister had instructed the chief secretary to cancel the Carnival celebrations in Panaji.
Chief minister Digambar Kamat told STOI, "It's a big tragedy and we have decided to cancel Carnival celebrations in Panaji."
Officials will discuss by Sunday morning whether the floats' parade in other towns should be cancelled or not. Carnival festivities usually commence on Fat Saturday (Sabardo Gordo) and end on Tuesday night.
At D B Marg, besides the occasional announcement by host that the parade would begin soon, there were no indications that the floats' parade had been cancelled.
VIPs and family members continued coming to the VIP enclosure.
Around 3.30pm murmurs of the event being cancelled began swirling.
This was just the beginning of the confusion. Organizers seemed clueless of the cancellation and so were the police personnel. In between the music, the host announced again that the King Momo-led parade would begin soon.
Finally, around 3.50pm the organizers announced that the Carnival had been cancelled due to the deaths of the school children.
Following the terse announcement, the music continued to play from the loudspeakers adding to the confusion.
After another five minutes, the music finally stopped and the host, William Anes, made another announcement informing people that the Carnival had been cancelled and that "people bear with the organizers and go peacefully to their homes".
Most spectators along the route didn't realize that the event had been called off and continued waiting. Others seemed too stunned and remained rooted to their spots for quite some time as well. A search helicopter could be seen repeatedly hovering over the Mandovi area.
Many revellers were seen approaching volunteers and police seeking information. Some continued sitting in the enclosures.
All foreigners TOI spoke expressed sorrow at the tragedy. "It is very sad, very sad," said Alex Law from Britain. Asked if he was disappointed with the cancellation, Dirk Verweig who has come to Goa from Holland with two friends said, "No, I understand it."
Though they had planned their vacation during Carnival time, German couple, Tanja and Torsten Zimehe said, "It is very sad that children have died. We understand the cancellation."
Hemant Shukla who had come from Delhi, said, "I booked (trip to Goa) because Carnival was confirmed, so I am disappointed. But the incident (bus tragedy) is unfortunate."