BIJIE CITY, Guizhou Province, China – The stage at the Grand Theater in Bijie, China collapsed during choir rehearsals here May 9. Eighty singers in the choir fell with the stage, along with a pianist and an onstage piano. Eight were injured and two sustained “relatively serious” injuries.
The incident happened during a rehearsal that took place around 3 p.m. local time. Video shows most of the performers already on the theatre’s stage as three latecomers joined those already assembled. Within seconds, the entire width of the stage floor gave way, and the entire choir dropped from view. The piano appeared to tumble in from the side.
The injured singers were hospitalized. The choir was comprised of members of the local Public Security Bureau. They were rehearsing for a singing competition that was to serve as a tribute to the “Chinese Dream” theme endorsed by China leader Xi Jinping.
