At least 5 killed, hundreds injured as stand collapses during bullfight in Colombia

BOGOTA, Colombia. KAZINFORM At least five people were killed and over 500 injured after the grandstand collapsed during a bullfight in Colombia, local authorities said Sunday, Anadolu Agency reported.

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.

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 by the incident and called on people to remain calm.

«Aid organizations have taken action. Search and rescue efforts and evacuations continue,» it added.