The incident occurred when the net malfunctioned, allowing the tiger to jump into the spectator area during the Sunday performance. Footage shows the tiger running amok in the audience section and wandering through rows of seats, according to video evidence. According to Daily Mirror - Main, an eyewitness described the tigers getting scared, with one jumping into the audience, children screaming, and adults running in panic. Another eyewitness claimed the tiger ran out onto the street after the tent was evacuated and was running through empty rows of seats, according to Daily Mirror - Main, adding to the chaotic scene.
Circus director Nikolai Dovgaluk said the tiger was recaptured a short distance from the tent. He explained that the trainer put a collar on the tiger and led it back to the enclosure without incident, according to his statement. Dovgaluk added that the tigers are tame and trained, and there was no panic, as per his comments. He blamed the net falling on employee error and a coincidence, stating it's impossible to say anyone was directly at fault, according to his account.
The tigers got scared... and one jumped out into the audience. Children were screaming, adults running in panic.
Authorities have launched investigations into the incident following the escape. Police in Russia have initiated an inquiry into the matter, according to official reports. Russia's federal Investigative Committee announced a probe into potential safety violations on Monday, as per their announcement. The investigations aim to determine the causes and any regulatory breaches in the circus's safety protocols.
The animal was running through the rows of seats where there were no people at all.