Woman dies in Mexico after falling from a 30-yard-high pole during a ‘Voladores’ performance
‘Voladores’ performers generally climb up a tall pole and descend through the air from an attached rope
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}A woman performing in the picturesque "Voladores" ritual has died after falling from the 30-yard high pole, authorities in the central Mexico state of Puebla confirmed Sunday.
The municipal government in the city of Huauchinango said it was cancelling the remaining festivities in a sign of mourning.
The performers were apparently from a troupe of mainly female "voladores." They had been performing at the city’s Festival of Flowers when the accident occurred Saturday night.
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People perform an ancient ritual, Voladores, in Mexico City. (Hanneke Luijting / Contributor / AP Photo)
The cause of the accident is under investigation.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}The voladores, or flyers in English, are generally four performers who climb up the pole and tie themselves to ropes twisted around the pole; they then leap outwards and descend through the air, moving in circles as the rope unwinds.
While the best-known voladores are from Papantla, in the neighboring state of Veracruz, the act, which originated as a spiritual observance, is also performed in Puebla.