A portion of a wooden stand fell during a bullfight in central Colombia, causing spectators to fall to the ground and murder four people, including a baby of 18 months, and hurt hundreds more.
The tragedy occurred in the stadium in the city of El Espinal during a traditional event known as Corralejo, in which members of the public encounter the bulls.
Videos depict the collapse of a multi-story part of the stands where as many as 800 people were seated.
“We have activated the hospital network in Tolima,” the governor of Tolima said on local radio station Blu. “As of this time, two women, one guy, and a child had perished.”
At least 322 individuals were transported to local hospitals. There were four patients in intensive care and two patients recovering after surgery.
Orozco stated that he had requested the suspension of the traditional “corralejas” in Tolima earlier on Sunday, but it was held nevertheless.
President-elect Gustavo Petro encouraged municipal officials to prohibit similar events, pointing out that this was not the first incidence of its kind.
Current President Iván Duque announced an investigation into the disaster via Twitter.
“We mourn the tragic catastrophe that occurred in El Espinal, Tolima, during the San Pedro and San Juan festivals, when the stands collapsed during a corraleja. We shall want an investigation.”
