Horror moment tiger leaps into crowd at circus as terrified families flee

Horror moment tiger leaps into crowd at circus as terrified families fleeTerrifying footage shows the moment a tiger leaps into a crowd of families and young children at a Russian circus after a sudden malfunction provides an opportunity to escapeCommentsNewsBenedict Tetzlaff-Deas News Reporter and Will Stewart Russia Correspondent23:20, 20 Apr 2026Terror as performing tiger leaps into crowdPolice in Russia have launched an investigation after a circus tiger dramatically broke free during a performance and leapt into the crowd.‌Terrifying footage from the incident in Rostov-on-Don on Sunday shows the animal — kept captive as a circus act — running amok after a sudden malfunction gave it an opportunity to escape.‌The clip, which has circulated widely online, begins by showing three tigers stood on stools as the ringleader and assistant pace around the stage, with a circular net separating them from the crowd.‌Bu after what appears to be a drastic mechanical fault, the net is suddenly lowered - and the tiger takes only a couple of seconds to take advantage.View 3 ImagesChildren were heard screaming in horror as a tiger escaped a circus ring(Image: east2west news)READ MORE: NATO jets scrambled as nuclear-capable Russian bombers spark major alertREAD MORE: Donald Trump Scottish golf course targeted by activists after windmill rantThe animal hops onto the metal circle before jumping into the spectator area below, drawing shocked gasps from the crowd.‌Audience members are then seen standing up to get a view of the escaped animal, with a few of them immediately heading for the aisles.Further footage, taken a minute or two later, shows seats largely deserted as the tiger wanders up and down the rows - though a few remaining members of the audience seem unbothered, filming on their phones or occasionally glancing back as the beast passes by.Eyewitnesses described a scene of panic and confusion in the moment the tiger leapt free, with one telling local media: "The tigers...