The bull-running festival in Pamplona
(Picture: AFP via Getty Images)Three men have been killed during traditional bull-running festivals in Spain, according to reports.
All are said to have been taking part in the events, where bulls are released to charge through towns with people running ahead of them, in the east of the country around Valencia.
The men all died from injuries sustained in the last two weeks at seperate events.
One one of them - a 56-year-old man - was tossed in the air by a bull resulting in a severe brain injury. He died on Tuesday in hospital in Valencia, nine days after the event.
A man, aged 50, also died in hospital after his lung was pierced by a bull while a 64-year-old French tourist died on Monday from wounds he suffered at another event.
Goring incidents have become a regular feature of bull-running in recent years. Spain’s most famous festival, the San Fermin running of the bulls in Pamplona, saw 35 injuries this year.
It was the first time it had been held in three years because of the Covid pandemic.
Spain’s animal rights party Pacma has called for the abolition of bull festivals, criticising the organisers of the three Valencia festivals for endangering the lives of residents and inflicting abuse on animals.
The bull running season provides a much-needed boost to Valencia’s economy. A 2019 study found it created more than 3,000 jobs and brought in €300m with almost 10,000 events a year.
