A man has died after he was gored at a bull-running festival in eastern Spain, the first such fatality in the country since events resumed after Covid-19 curbs were relaxed during the summer.
The 55-year-old, who has not been named, was repeatedly attacked by a bull at a festival in Onda, the town’s council said on Saturday. Other participants tried to entice the animal away but their efforts failed.
A wound to the man’s left thigh perforated an artery and he died in hospital in the nearby town of Villarreal. He also had a head wound.
Onda council cancelled all further bull running planned at the festival, which ends on Sunday. Other activities were not affected.
A public debate over whether bull-running festivals should be abolished has become more heated in recent years, and only a small number have taken place since Covid restrictions were lifted.
The animals let loose for the runs are generally used in bullfights later the same day. A 2020 survey by Electomania, a polling company, found 46% of Spaniards were in favour of banning bullfighting, 34% were not in favour but did not back a legal ban, and 18% believed it should be preserved.
