Deadly Tradition: Bull Claims Life at Festival in Spain

This was the first fatality at a bull-running event in Spain since these festivals resumed following the easing of Covid-19 restrictions in the summer.

In response, Onda’s town council called off all remaining bull-running events scheduled for the festival, which had been set to conclude on Sunday.

The tragedy has intensified the ongoing debate about whether such festivals should be prohibited. Only a few have been held since Spain lifted its coronavirus-related restrictions.

A 2020 poll by Electomania revealed that 46.7% of Spaniards supported banning bullfighting, while 34.7% disapproved of it but opposed an official ban, and 18.6% wanted the tradition to continue.

Reflecting a decline in support, Spanish teenagers who recently received a €400 (£338) government grant for cultural activities were prohibited from using the funds to attend bullfighting events.