Two actors are seriously injured after falling from a balcony during a production of Romeo and Juliet in Hungary.
The devastating freak accident occurred on Friday (November 10) night, during the second act of the performance at the National Theater of Budapest - known locally as Nemzeti Szinhaz.
According to Hungary Today, Julia Szasz, 28, who plays Juliet, and Otto Lajos Horvath, 60, who plays her father, Lord Capulet, were sharing a moment on the balcony, with Horváth holding his younger colleague.
The older actor then reportedly became unexpectedly dizzy, causing both him and the actress to fall over the railing and then plunge from several meters onto the stage.
Per the Daily Mail, National Theatre director Attila Vidnyánszky issued a statement after the actors' accident was made public.
"Our Romeo and Juliet performance on Friday was interrupted during the second act due to the accident of Júlia Szász and Ottó Lajos Horváth," he wrote. "The paramedics who arrived in a short time gave the two artists professional care on the spot and then transported them to the hospital."
"They are in good condition. For the sake of peace of mind, we ask the staff of the press not to contact them with their questions for the time being," he said, adding that an investigation was underway to look into the 'circumstances' surrounding the accident.
"We wish our two excellent actors and colleagues a speedy recovery and look forward to their return to the theatre," Vidnyánszky concluded.
The Hungarian stars were taken to the Traumatology Clinic of Semmelweis University with limb injuries and were operated on the same day.
Hungary's Minister of Culture and Innovation, János Csák, visited the clinic where the actors were being treated and greeted doctors.
In an Instagram post, he revealed that the pair's conditions were improving and wished them a speedy recovery.
Horváth first gained success in the early 2000s as an actor and is known for performing in Hungarian films and television shows.
Szasz - who has also featured in a number of high-profile Hungarian film productions - was scheduled to appear in National Theatre performances of John the Valiant and Woyzeck later this month.
Due to the incident, The National Theatre director Attila Vidnyánszky submitted his resignation on Monday (November 13) morning, exiting his role after 10 years.
Local media reported that Vidnyánszky acknowledged his responsibility as the manager, and informed Csák of his decision. However, the minister has since dismissed the suggestion that the director should step down, as shared by BBC News.
As an investigation has been launched, Csák explained that he will await the results and findings before taking further action.
It is unclear when it might conclude.
