A Haitian singer, Michael Benjamin, popularly known as Mikaben, has died after collapsing on stage during a performance.
The 41-year-old was performing onstage in Paris with the Haitian konpa band CaRiMi on Saturday, October 15, when he collapsed.
The video from the concert serving the rounds online, shows Mikaben walking offstage when he suddenly collapses to the ground, in full view of the spectators.
The incident unfolded live on Twitter, with Frantz Duval, editor of a Haitian newspaper, first alerting fans that something was wrong. Singer, Mickael Guirand, then told fans to clear out.
“End of the concert. We must evacuate the room. It’s very complicated. We need prayers,” Guirand said.
Mikaben is said to have suffered a heart attack.
Announcing his demise on Twitter, the management of the Accor Arena in eastern Paris, where the singer was performing before the tragic incident, wrote on Twitter, “He died after suffering a seizure on stage and despite the efforts of emergency services”.
His colleagues, friends, family and fans have since trooped to social media to mourn his tragic demise.
Haitian-American media personality, Bertrhude Albert wrote,
“@mikaben gave his life to Haiti. He carried our flag on his back until his dying breath. At one point before singing you can see he was in deep pain and yet he persevered. It’s almost as if the same flag he was fighting for gave him strength to finish what he began. ✊🏿🇭🇹 #Mikaben”.
Haitian prime minister, Ariel Henry, wrote, “I’m shocked by the sudden death of the young and very talented artist Michael Benjamin ‘Mikaben’, We have lost a major figure in Haitian music.”
Watch the video showing the moment Mikaben collapsed on stage below,
