A 27-year-old acrobat from Spain died on Saturday evening after a fall from a trapeze during a solo act at the Paul Busch Circus in Bautzen, eastern Germany. The performer, Marina B, originally from Mallorca, fell approximately 16 feet to the ground at around 5:45 p.m. on September 27, 2025, in front of nearly 100 attendees, including families and children.

The incident resulted in Marina B’s death at the scene, with police and emergency personnel responding quickly. Witnesses reported that the audience reacted with screams, and many parents shielded their children’s eyes as numerous guests exited the tent after the fall.

Authorities confirmed that Marina B was not using a safety rope during her performance. Police spokesman Stefan Heiduck noted that although she was not legally obligated to use one, she made the decision herself, and no other performers were in the ring at the time of the accident.

Following the event, audience members received specialized support inside the tent. Crisis intervention teams were deployed to assist both the attendees and circus staff, as stated by officials.

The circus canceled its scheduled shows in response to the tragedy. A sign at the ticket booth on Sunday informed visitors that the circus was closed due to a family loss.

Ralf Huppertz, head of Germany’s circus association, suggested that Marina might have experienced a health issue during her act. Huppertz remarked on the rarity of a seasoned performer like Marina losing her life from a fall of only 16 feet, speculating that she could have felt lightheaded while on the trapeze.

Mayor Karten Vogt expressed his sorrow over the incident, noting its significant impact on the community. On behalf of the city, he conveyed condolences to the bereaved families and others mourning, emphasizing that the community’s thoughts remain with those affected by the accident.

Despite her young age, Marina B was an experienced acrobat with over ten years in the circus industry. She had been engaged by the Paul Busch Circus for an upcoming tour and brought extensive international experience, having worked with renowned groups such as Cirque du Soleil and Germany’s Roncalli Circus.

Marina was passionate about her craft, having previously remarked that each performance was an opportunity to express her love for her work. She believed in art’s ability to create lasting memories for audiences.

In the weeks leading up to the accident, Marina shared a photograph on Instagram of herself performing on the trapeze, captioning it with her affinity for aerial performance. Following her death, a tribute on Instagram stated that her love and light would continue to guide others’ steps every day, despite her absence.

According to its website, the Paul Busch Circus offers performances rooted in tradition and dedicated to the art form, maintaining the legacy of classic circus entertainment on stage for generations. Acrobatics, clowns, and animal stunts are featured as the show tours Germany with international artists under the direction of Paul Busch.

A circus employee expressed shock over the incident, while the organization has not yet issued an official statement regarding the death. The Paul Busch Circus was staging its traditional circus arts program when the accident occurred during the Saturday evening show.

This incident underscores ongoing safety concerns within the circus industry, where performers frequently work at significant heights. The death of Marina B during a routine solo trapeze act highlights the risks faced by circus performers, even during familiar routines.