A bull on a rampage caused the death of one person and left three others injured during a village ‘bull-running’ festival in Spain on Tuesday.
The animal broke through a metal safety barrier and charged into a group of people prior to the start of the traditional event.
Footage shared on social media (see below) shows the bull, which was set to run through the streets of Pantoja, located in the province of Toledo (Castilla-La Mancha), breaking loose and goring a spectator, creating chaos among the crowd.
A 74-year-old man succumbed to injuries inflicted by the bull’s horns. An 83-year-old man and a 55-year-old woman were also transported to a hospital in Toledo, with one of them reportedly in a very serious condition.
A four-year-old girl sustained minor injuries during the incident but was said to have recovered swiftly.
The deceased man was from Illescas, a town roughly six kilometres from Pantoja, also situated in Toledo province.
The bull, after terrifying more villagers, eventually ran into a nearby field, where it was shot and killed by a police officer.
Having been unloaded from a cattle truck near the barrier that failed, the bull shocked its handlers by charging toward the spectators.
Julián Torrejón, the mayor of Pantoja, explained that the barriers for the bull-run had undergone a safety inspection just minutes before the event began.
However, concerns have been raised over why people were allowed to stand near a barrier that ultimately could not withstand the bull’s force.
‘The people of Pantoja are heartbroken,’ Torrejón said. ‘We deeply regret what has happened and extend our sincerest condolences to the family.’
Following the tragic event, the Pantoja council canceled the remainder of Tuesday’s festival and declared a day of mourning.
Bull-related fatalities at Spanish festivals typically involve participants attempting to outmaneuver the animals as they race through the streets, rather than spectators behind barriers.
According to the EFE news agency, Spain’s judicial police have launched an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the deadly incident.
Cógela por favor!Sacadla! #Pantoja qué tragedia.El fallecido,los #abuelos heridos, la nieta…Quienes instalaron las #talanqueras deben estar tb rotos Hoy pongo el acento en el gesto de este hombre. Él sabía q estaba el #toro suelto y no dudó en sacar a la niña de allí #encierros pic.twitter.com/nfjqz9rfqH
— MARÍA LÓPEZ MUÑOZ (@Meritele) September 25, 2024
🔴 Un muerto y tres heridos al salirse un toro del recorrido de un encierro en Pantoja #Toledo
El animal ha roto una barra de hierro de las barreras de protección
Así lo contábamos en el @telediario_tve @rtvenoticias pic.twitter.com/KUr6AYA6w9
— Jose Muela (@JoseMuela98) September 24, 2024
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