Dramatic video captures the moment a circus platform crashed to the ground with at least nine acrobats attached to it.
Many in the crowd at Rhode Island's Dunkin' Donuts Center assumed it was part of the act.
Providence Public Safety Comissioner Steven Pare.
(SOUNDBITE) (English) STEVEN PARE, COMMISSIONER OF PUBLIC SAFETY FOR CITY OF PROVIDENCE, SAYING:
"It appears to be non-life-threatening. There are nine individuals who are seriously injured. They fell from anywhere between 25 and 35 feet and so as a result of those injuries they're being treated. At this point, it doesn't appear to be life-threatening but they are serious injuries from that height and fall."
The acrobats fell at least 25 feet -- roughly the height of a two-story building.
The cause of the collapse is under investigation. The circus troop, Ringling Bros., did not immediately respond to a request for comment.