A man has been killed after being gored by a bull during a traditional running festival in Andalucia.
Tragedy struck in the mountain town of Ubrique, Cadiz on Sunday when the victim was struck during the annual Toro del Gayumbo festivities.
The victim, a local resident, was attempting to climb a metal gate to escape the charging animal when he was struck with force.
Witnesses and fellow runners rushed to help before emergency services evacuated him, but the man succumbed to a severe head injury.
A video of the moment, widely circulated on social media, shows him lying unconscious on the ground.
The death has shocked the tight-knit community. The town hall expressed its condolences to the man’s family, friends and loved ones, announcing the suspension of the evening’s planned fireworks display.
Flags on public buildings were flown at half-mast on Monday as a sign of mourning.
Ubrique’s mayor, Mario Casillas, issued a public appeal for calm and respect.
He said: ‘We ask for understanding, serenity and collaboration from all neighbours and visitors. The best way to show support is with prudence and respect.
‘Ubrique has always stood united in difficult times. Today, more than ever, we must prove it.’
The Toro del Gayumbo festival, a traditional encierro in which bulls are released through the streets, has long been a source of both local pride and controversy, with critics warning of the risks involved for participants.
Read more Andalucia news at the Spanish Eye.
