ROSTOV-ON-DON, April 20. /TASS/. Russian investigators have launched a criminal probe after videos of a tiger leaping into the audience during a circus performance in Rostov-on-Don were published, the regional department of the Russian Investigative Committee reported.
Previously, several videos of a tiger jumping over a wire mesh into the audience during a performance appeared in the media.
"The investigative bodies of the Russian Investigative Committee’s regional department for the Rostov Region, following information circulated on social media on April 19 about an incident at the circus, promptly launched a procedural inquiry. The inquiry resulted in a criminal case being initiated under Article 238 of the Russian Criminal Code (providing services that do not meet safety requirements)," the regional department reported.
According to preliminary information, during a circus performance involving tigers, the protective mesh surrounding the arena collapsed. One of the predators left the arena and entered the audience area. No visitors were injured. The tiger was immediately captured by specialists and returned to its enclosure.
As part of the probe, investigators will assess whether safety requirements were observed in organizing the performance involving potentially dangerous animals. Law enforcement officials said that circus management, staff, and witnesses will also be questioned. In addition, a series of expert assessments has been commissioned to determine the causes of the mesh failure and the predator escaping the arena.