Toro del Gayumbo: Tragedy in Ubrique as bull kills reveller during 10th annual festival
What was supposed to be a day of celebration in southern Spain ended in tragedy after a man was fatally gored during the Toro del Gayumbo festival in Ubrique.
The 57-year-old local was just one of hundreds who lined the narrow streets on Sunday when a bull, released as part of the annual festivities, turned violent.
Footage captures the moments the man tries to scramble to safety by climbing onto metal railings alongside another festival-goer, but he loses his footing after the animal clips his shoe.
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The bull, named Mosquetero (“Musketeer”), surged forward, toppling the man and striking him repeatedly with its horns. He was left gravely injured and rushed to a nearby medical centre, but died later that evening.
Authorities confirmed his death at 8pm.
This year marked the 10th edition of the Toro del Gayumbo, which sees two bulls released into the streets with one at midday, the other at dusk. It was during the second release, around 6.30pm, that the fatal attack occurred.
Ubrique’s town hall has since declared a day of mourning to coincide with the feast of the town’s patron, The Sun reported.
“We would like to express our sincere condolences and solidarity with the family, friends and loved ones of the deceased,” officials said in a statement.
“We would also like to announce that, as a sign of respect, tonight’s fireworks display has been cancelled. In addition, flags on public buildings will fly at half-mast tomorrow as a sign of mourning.”
Authorities urged locals and visitors to remain calm and united: “The best way to show support is through prudence and respect. Ubrique has always been characterised by its unity in difficult times. Today, more than ever, we must demonstrate this.”
But the tragedy has reignited fierce criticism of the controversial bull-running tradition.
Local resident Isabel Carrasco Romero accused officials of putting lives at risk for the sake of votes.
“This would have been a preventable death if our council did not promote these kinds of backward events under the guise of tradition,” she said.
“My deepest condolences to the family of our deceased neighbour. I am very old, and until a few years ago, it was never traditional to release a bull down a short slope, something surreal in these times when most citizens want to protect animals. Those who govern us give permission because it brings them a few votes - that is what we are worth.”
The incident follows another shocking case in August, when a man was gored by a bull with flaming horns at a festival outside Valencia.
Onlookers at that event also watched in horror as he taunted the animal before being chased down.
