A fire dancer suffered severe burns to his mouth and face after his performance went wrong in front of dozens of tourists, including children.
Grigory, 35, is seen on video with his act on the embankment in Feodosia, a resort in occupied Crimea, which Russia annexed from Ukraine in 2014.
He twirls a stick that is ablaze at both ends in front of an assembled crowd of families and holidaymakers on a balmy summer’s night. It is a stunt he must have practiced many times.
As the Russian tries to blow a column of flame, his mouth suddenly catches fire as his kerosene dramatically ignites.
He puts his hand to his mouth in shock as the performance suddenly goes awry and crumples to the ground as he is engulfed in a fireball.
Hero spectators rush to help the stricken performer, smothering the flames with items of clothing and their bare hands.
Paramedics were quickly on the scene, according to reports.
The Health Ministry in Crimea said the performer was in a ‘serious but stable’ condition.
‘The victim was hospitalised at Simferopol Clinical Emergency Hospital No. 6,’ said a statement.
He suffered burns mainly to his mouth and face.
Mash news outlet reported that the problem may have been caused by poor quality kerosene used in his fire dance act.
Police are investigating the incident.