BOGOTA, June 27 (NNN-AGENCIES) — At least five people were killed and over 500 injured after the grandstand collapsed during a bullfight in Colombia, local authorities said Sunday.
A three-story section of the wooden stands lined with spectators collapsed during the traditional Corraleja bullfight festival held in the city of El Espinal located in the department of Tolima, some 146 kilometers (90 miles) southwest of the capital Bogota.
Amid the chaos following the incident, the bull escaped from the arena, causing panic in the city’s streets.
Shocking footage on social media showed the moment the stands, packed with hundreds of people, collapsed during the festival.
It is feared that the number of dead and injured will rise.
A number of children were reported missing in the chaos following the event.
In a statement, the Tolima Civil Defense said there were women and children among the injured.
It was reported that some of the injured could not be treated due to crowded conditions at the hospital in the city and support was requested from health institutions in the region.
The El Espinal municipality in a statement said they were greatly saddened over the incident and called on people to remain calm.
“Aid organizations have taken action. Search and rescue efforts and evacuations continue,” it added.
Many of the injured were transferred to the nearby San Rafael Hospital, which has become inundated with patients, though other local hospitals have sent ambulances to transfer some of the wounded.
“We will request an investigation into the events. (We wish) a speedy recovery for the injured and (send our) solidarity to the families of the victims,” Colombian President Ivan Duque tweeted.
President-elect Gustavo Petro urged Colombian mayors not to authorize any event related to the death of animals, such as bullfighting. — NNN-AGENCIES
