Updated March 13, 2017 15:57:46

Photo: A man looks at the bus that was driven into a parade of pedestrians in Gonaives. (Reuters: Andres Martinez Casares)

At least 38 people have been killed and about a dozen injured in northern Haiti late after a bus drove into a parade of pedestrians while fleeing from an accident, civil protection authorities say.

The bus, which was traveling from Cap Haitien to the capital Port-au-Prince late on Saturday, initially hit two people in a town outside Gonaives in northern Haiti, killing one, said Joseph Faustin, civil protection head in the Artibonite department.

Faustin said the bus driver then fled and crashed into crowds of people about 5 kilometres away taking part in "rara" parades.

The parades, which usually take place around Easter, are groupings of musicians playing traditional instruments who are often joined by passers-by.

In total, 34 people were killed at the scene and another four people died in hospital, said Fred Henry, the area's deputy representative, who added that the incident had occurred around 4:00am.

"Usually the drivers involved in such accidents don't stop because they are afraid they might be killed [in reprisal]," Mr Henry said.

It was not immediately clear what caused the accident.

Mr Faustin said angry festival-goers then attacked the bus and tried to burn it before police rescued the passengers aboard.

The bus driver fled and was being sought.

The injured were being treated at a hospital in Gonaives, about 100 kilometres north-west of the capital, Port-au-Prince.

Mr Faustin said the cause of the accident was unclear.

Haitian roads are dangerous and chaotic, with few rules observed by pedestrians, motorcyclists and drivers.

President Jovenel Moise called for an investigation into the incident.

"The head of state sends ... sincere condolences to the victims' families and loved ones," he said.

AP/Reuters

Topics: accidents, haiti

First posted March 13, 2017 11:41:35