Spanish trapeze artist Marina B. has died after a tragic accident during a circus performance. She was 27.
Marina (real name Marina Barceló) was performing at Circus Paul Busch in Bautzen, Germany, on Saturday, September 27, when she fell around 16 feet to her death, according to multiple reports.
Marina was pronounced dead at the scene.
More than 80 people, including children, witnessed the incident, German newspaper Bild reported. Many audience members screamed and fled the circus tent, while parents covered their children’s eyes.
“We can’t believe what happened,” a circus employee told the outlet.
“The crisis response team was immediately deployed to assist both spectators and circus staff,” local police spokesperson Stefan Heiduck said in a statement, according to the Majorca Daily Bulletin.
As for the cause of Marina’s fall, authorities told the Daily Bulletin that they are “currently classifying the incident as a workplace accident.”
“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,” the statement continued.
Ralf Huppertz, CEO of the Association of German Circus Companies, suspects that Marina may have suffered from an unknown health issue that led to her fall, although this is unconfirmed.
“It’s unusual for a well-trained artist like Marina to not survive a fall from just five meters. Perhaps she got dizzy on the trapeze,” he told Bild. “Artistry is a dangerous profession. Some performances simply can’t be properly secured.”
Heiduck also claimed that Marina did not use a safety rope, but she didn’t “have to.”
“She decides for herself whether to use [a] safety rope. No one else was in the ring during the accident,” the spokesperson alleged.
Marina was reportedly booked by the Circus Paul Busch for their upcoming tour. However, the organization has canceled the tour in light of the accident.
“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,” a press officer for the circus told People in a statement.
Karsten Vogt, the mayor of Bautzen, sent his condolences to Marina’s family 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, according to the Daily Bulletin.
Marina, a native of Mallorca, Spain, was once a gymnast before she became a trapeze artist in 2018. Before her death, she performed in circuses in Poland, Germany, Spain and Andorra.
“For me, every show is an opportunity to share my passion for what I do,” Marina once said of her circus career, according to Bild. “I believe that art has the power to create unforgettable moments.”
Marina often documented her circus career via her Instagram page, sharing photos from her practices and performances. In August, the acrobat shared a snap of herself suspended in the air and wrote, ”It is worth it every second 🫀.”