'We are devastated': Family mourn death of acrobat in Spain

An acrobat has fallen to his death in front of horrified onlookers at a festival in Madrid, sparking anger at organisers who refused to halt performances following the accident.

Pedro Aunión Monroy Source: Facebook

Pedro Aunion Monroy, a Spanish performance artist living in Britain, tumbled around 30 metres during a dance routine at the Mad Cool event in the Spanish capital late Friday.

"I regret to tell you he died today," his sister Estefi Chaje posted on Facebook. "He was doing what he loved the most... We are devastated."

Organisers of the three-day music festival, which featured acts including US rock bands Foo Fighters and Green Day, issued a statement saying the event would continue despite the "terrible accident".

Protesters shout outside the entrance of the Caja Magica where the Mad Cool festival is taking place after a concert was not suspended after the death of an acrobat Source: AP

Many commenters were angry at the decision.

"I've just seen a guy fall and die, all projected on the giant screen. And thousands of people carried on dancing. I'm lost for words," tweeted one festival-goer.

Green Day played their Friday night headline set as planned, apparently unaware of Monroy's death.

"We just got off stage at Mad Cool Festival to disturbing news. A very brave artist named Pedro lost his life tonight in a tragic accident," the group said later on Twitter.