Spanish Dancer Joana Sainz Garcia Dies After Being Hit By Pyrotechnic During Show

A Spanish dancer has died after being struck by a pyrotechnic during a performance.

Joana Sainz Garcia was playing a show with Super Hollywood Orchestra in Las Berlanas, 80 miles northwest of Madrid, when a pyrotechnic cartridge exploded and hit her in the stomach during the early hours of Sunday morning.

Super Hollywood Orchestra

Around 1,000 spectators looked on in horror as the 30-year-old collapsed to the floor before the curtain was pulled.

A doctor and a nurse who were in the crowd tended to her before she was rushed to Avila hospital, but she could not be saved.

Group promoter Isidoro López, of Prones 1SL, told local news agency Avila Red that 'nobody can explain' the accident, adding that they 'have been doing the same [act] for five years'.

He added that the accident may have been caused by a 'manufacturing defect'.

An investigation to determine the cause of the incident has been opened.

In a post on Facebook, the promoter paid tribute to Ms Sainz, who was the principal choreographer of the 15 strong group.

The post read: "From the Prones 1SL agency - which represents the Super Hollywood Orchestra - and all our staff, musicians, assembly and artists, we all express our most heartfelt condolences to the family, couple and friends for the loss of our colleague Joana.

"She always showed exemplary behaviour, both personal and artistic, in addition to a great human quality. It's going to be very difficult for all of us to overcome her absence.

"We will always remember you, Joana. RIP."

Prones 1

In statement given to Europa Press, Carlos García González, president of The Provincial Council of Ávila, said: "Unfortunately, the name of Joana Sainz will be forever linked to that of Las Berlanas, not for her good work on stage, but for the fatality of the incident that has ended her life."

He also urged police and judicial authorities to do all they can to clarify the causes of Ms Sainz's death so they can 'not be repeated' and to help her relatives 'find some comfort in the face of such an irreparable loss'.

Topics: World News, Spain

Jake Massey

Jake Massey is a journalist at LADbible. He graduated from Newcastle University, where he learnt a bit about media and a lot about living without heating. After spending a few years in Australia and New Zealand, Jake secured a role at an obscure radio station in Norwich, inadvertently becoming a real-life Alan Partridge in the process. From there, Jake became a reporter at the Eastern Daily Press. Jake enjoys playing football, listening to music and writing about himself in the third person.

@jakesmassey