Terrifying moment lions roam through car park after two escape circus enclosure, sending tourists fleeing in terror

THIS is the shocking moment two lions broke out of their circus enclosure in the middle of a performance - scattering hundreds of terrified spectators.

The pair managed to slip through a gap where two rows of bars met during the show in Luoyang, Henan Province, China, this weekend.

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Within seconds, the beasts slipped into a staff walkway approaching horrified members of the audience, according to witnesses.

One of the lions was recaptured before it could get outside but the other stampeded towards audience members when it went for a stroll through the circus car park.

Footage of the escape - shared later on Douyin, China's version of TikTok - shows the lion apparently unfazed by the commotion it has caused.

Another clip shows the audience carrying children and fleeing in fright as they try to escape the fearsome jungle predator.

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An unnamed audience member told local media that the incident happened at a matinee show when she took her child to watch the big cats.

Fortunately, staff managed to capture the second lion before any accidents occurred.

One witness, who was also not named, said: "The lion came out of the circus employee passage, and the situation is under investigation."

The circus was only recently set up and was meant to be in town until April 30, local media reported.

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The circus has not yet commented on the matter but local media said that it has temporarily been closed for business.

Two lions previously caused mass panic at a major airport after escaping while being taken onto a plane.

Vets were forced to fire a tranquiliser gun at the two predators after a tense "standoff" with staff at Changi Airport in Singapore.

One of the lions was reportedly seen relaxing on top of the crate after making the bid for freedom while in transit to an "overseas facility".

Singapore Airlines, which was handling the transportation of the pride of seven lions, was forced to call in expert veterinary and carnivore teams to deal with the alarming situation.

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