Male model dies after collapsing on catwalk at Sao Paulo Fashion Week

The audience initially thought model Tales Soares' fall was part of the show's choreography while some media reports claimed that he stepped on his shoelace and fell. PHOTO: EPA-EFE

SAO PAULO (AFP) - A Brazilian model died on Saturday (April 27) after collapsing on the catwalk during a show on the last day of Sao Paulo Fashion Week (SPFW), organisers said.

"SPFW has just received the news of the death of model Tales Soares, who suddenly took ill during the Ocksa show," the organisation said in a statement, without giving a cause of death.

The 26-year-old model fell while turning to leave the runway.

A medical team immediately attended to him in front of horrified onlookers, according to local media reports.

The audience initially thought his fall was part of the show's choreography while some media reports claimed that he stepped on his shoelace and fell.

A photo showed a fellow model on the runway looking stunned, with a hand held to her mouth.

SPFW said he was taken to hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

"We offer our sincere condolences to Tales' family," it said, while label Ocksa said on Instagram its entire team was "shocked" by the death of Soares.

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