VietNamNet Bridge – A circus tent collapsed in northern Hai Duong Province yesterday (August 5), sending at least 18 audience members to the hospital.

The support frame of the circus platform leaned to one side, which triggered the collapse of part of the tent roof about 15 minutes after the performance began. — Photo vietnamplus.vn

Officials at Hoa Binh Hospital in Hai Duong Ward said a 15-year-old girl was treated for a broken finger and two broken toes while a woman was transferred to a hospital in Hanoi with a spinal injury. Most of the injured had minor cuts and bruises, officials said. Hoa Binh Hospital treated 12 of the injured while another six went to other area hospitals.

"I was at home when received a call from my two daughters who were at the scene and said they were hurt," a father of two audience members said. "When I came to the circus, the two had been taken to the hospital."

Witnesses said that the support frame of the circus platform leaned to one side, which triggered the collapse of part of the tent roof at around 8 p.m., about 15 minutes after the performance began.

The collapsed roof and injured audience members did not deter the circus from continuing its performance. The circus, which is part of the Viet Nam Circus Federation, continued to perform until about 9:30 p.m., when organizers stopped the show and refunded ticket money to the audience.

The accident is under investigation, according to Senior lieutenant-colonel Dang Van Dam, chief of Hai Duong Police.

VNS