27-Year-Old Trapeze Artist Dies After Falling During Circus Performance

A Spanish circus performer is dead after falling from a trapeze during a performance in Germany.

On Saturday, Sept. 27, Marina B. from Mallorca had the spotlight on her as she took center stage at Circus Paul Busch in Bautzen in front of over 80 people, including children, according to German newspaper Bild. She then fell around 16 feet from the trapeze during the performance.

The incident, which took place at around 5:45 p.m. local time, allegedly left audience members screaming, parents covering their children’s eyes and fleeing the tent, according to the outlet. Marina B. was pronounced dead at the scene.

“The crisis response team was immediately deployed to assist both spectators and circus staff,” said local police spokesperson Stefan Heiduck, per the Majorca Daily Bulletin.

After being evacuated from the tent, audience members were given support helplines following the tragic incident.

“The police are currently classifying the incident as a workplace accident,” authorities told the Majorca Daily Bulletin. “There is no evidence of third-party fault, and it is unlikely there will be, as acrobats are usually responsible for setting up their own equipment.”

Marina B. was a former gymnast who began her circus career in 2018, according to the outlet. Before her untimely death, she had performed in circuses in Germany, Spain, Andorra and Poland.

A recent photo shared on Marina B.’s Instagram account showed her doing the splits while hanging from the trapeze, while another captured her juggling on a tight rope.

Ralf Huppertz, CEO of the Association of German Circus Companies (VdCU), told Bild that the circumstances of Marina’s death seem “unusual,” as she was a “well-trained artist.”  He added that every artist is responsible for the safety of their equipment.

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Heiduck told the outlet that the aerial acrobat was not using a safety rope at the time of her death. “She doesn’t have to. She decides for herself whether to use a safety rope. No one else was in the ring during the accident,” Heiduck said, per Bild.

According to the outlet and Metro, a sign was placed outside Circus Paul Busch on Sunday informing guests that they were closed “due to a bereavement.”

In a statement, a press officer for Circus Paul Busch told PEOPLE, “Please understand that our management is currently very busy dealing with this terrible event. We have canceled this year’s tour due to this incident and need time to recover.”

The mayor of Bautzen, Karsten Vogt, also expressed his condolences following the tragedy. 

“On behalf of the city, I extend my deepest sympathies to her family and loved ones. Our thoughts are with all those affected by this tragic accident,” he said, per the Majorca Daily Bulletin.

Bautzen Police Department and the Association of German Circus Companies (VdCU) did not immediately respond to PEOPLE’s request for comment on Monday, Sept. 29.