In Mexico, a man died after falling more than 20 meters while he took part in the traditional "Voladores de Papantla" ceremony.
In the state of Veracruz, 52-year-old Nicolás San Martín García was dancing the traditional Mexican dance in front of dozens of people who attended the event to celebrate the inauguration of an ecological park, according to local newspaper Xalapa.
The "Voladores de Papantla" tradition has been a part of Veracruz families for generations. During the dance, a group of men dressed in typical regional clothes and with previous preparation climb a 22 meters-tall pole to which they tie themselves using a simple rope.
The man that formed a part of the group called "Tutunakú", comprised of five people, lost control just as he climbed the pole where he would meet his colleagues to begin his descent to flute music.
The man fell to the ground, and the impact killed him, and emergency services were called. Although Nicolás San Martín García received first aid from paramedics, they were not able to save his life.
Narciso Jiménez Hernández, President of the Council of Voladores told the newspaper that before starting the dance they would symbolically offer the life of one of their members, and that this time the man was chosen.
Other members of the council, Merced de la Cruz Iseño, said that San Martín did not fully complete the preparation ritual, which is very important for dances, since according to their beliefs, it provides protection.
"They're not games, he missed the rite of purification with the healers, and then get to work, but he didn't get there in time".
Two more members of the group are brothers of the man that lost his life and together, they had over 30 years of experience carrying out the ritual at various ceremonies throughout Veracruz.
Watch a video of the traditional Mexican dance of "Los Voladores de Papantla":
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