A pair of lions escaped at a circus sending hundreds of terrified spectators fleeing for their lives.
The ferocious cats escaped from their enclosure in the middle of a performance in Luoyang, Henan Province in central China.
They managed to slip through a gap where two rows of bars met during the show on Saturday.
Within seconds, they slipped into a staff walkway approaching horrified members of the audience, according to witnesses.
One was recaptured before it could get outside but the other stampeded the crowd and went for a stroll through the circus car park.
Footage of the escape was shared on Douyin, China's version of TikTok.
The astonishing clip shows the lion apparently unruffled by the commotion it has caused.
Another video shows the audience carrying children and fleeing in fright as they try to escape the fearsome jungle beast.
An unnamed audience member told local media that the incident happened at a matinee show when she took her child to watch the big cats.
Fortunately, staff managed to capture the second lion before any accidents occurred.
Another witness, who was also not named, said: "The lion came out of the circus employee passage, and the situation is under investigation."
The circus has not yet commented on the matter but local media said that it has temporarily been closed for business.
It was only recently set up and will be in town until April 30, local media report.
In other recent news, a teenage gymnast was left fighting for his life after falling from high wires while performing at a circus in Russia.
Alexey Sh, 14, suffered serious head injuries and was placed in a coma following the horror fall.
The top gymnast was performing spins and swinging from high wires when a snapped cable caused his belt to come loose and he plunged to the ground in front of horrified onlookers in Zarechny.
His young partner was watching along from the circus ring as part of the show but can be seen fleeing backstage, clearly shocked and distraught by the events.
The teenager laid motionless on the ground of the studio as emergency medics rushed to his side to try and safe his life and prevent any serious injury.
