Framework

Capturing the world through photography, video and multimedia

Tafalla, Spain — A bull jumps into the stands during a "recortadores" competition in Tafalla in this video grab. At least 40 spectators were injured after the bull jumped into the stands during the competition in which young boys run in front of the bull.

PHOTOGRAPH BY: REUTERS TV / Reuters

Tafalla, Spain — A bull leaps out of the arena at a bullring in northern Spain before charging into a crowd of terrified spectators.

PHOTOGRAPH BY: Alberto Galdona / AFP/Getty Images

Tafalla, Spain — A bull leaps into the stands in northern Spain, where it ran amok, charging and trampling spectators.

PHOTOGRAPH BY: Manuel Sagues / Associated Press

Tafalla, Spain — A bull charges spectators after leaping into the stands during a bullfight. Dozens of people were injured.

PHOTOGRAPH BY: Manuel Sagues / Associated Press

Tafalla, Spain — A bull that leaped out of the arena at a bullring near Pamplona in northern Spain charged into a crowd of terrified spectators.

PHOTOGRAPH BY: Alberto Galdona / AFP/Getty Images

Tafalla, Spain — A bull terrifies spectators after leaping into the stands during a bullfight in Tafalla in northern Spain.

PHOTOGRAPH BY: Manuel Sagues / Associated Press

Tafalla, Spain — Spectators try to escape after a bull leaped into the stands during a 'recortadores' competition, during which young boys run before the bull, trying to avoid being caught.

PHOTOGRAPH BY: STRINGER/SPAIN / Reuters

Tafalla, Spain — After it was killed, the body of the bull is removed from the stands where it charged spectators.

PHOTOGRAPH BY: Alberto Galdona / AFP/Getty Images

More galleries on Framework

return to gallery

Bull leaps into stands, injures 40 spectators in Spain

2012 London Olympics | Day 9

Photo highlights from London 2012 Olympic Games, Day 9.   View Post»

   

Marines leave Camp Pendleton for Afghanistan

Camp Pendleton Marines headed to Afghanistan

Under a cold, gray sky,  Marines departed Camp Pendleton on Monday for Afghanistan _ more than a decade after Marines from the same base surged into Afghanistan to topple the...   View Post»

   

Stagecoach Fetsival

Photos: Stagecoach 2011

The Stagecoach country music festival is underway at the Empire Polo Club in Indio.  Performers at the weekend festival include Kris Kristofferson, Kenny Chesney, Carrie...   View Post»

   

Bull leaps into stands, injures 40 spectators in Spain

Pictures in the News | Dec. 30, 2010

As we close out 2010, our Pictures in the News feature is a mixed bag. We begin in Hungary, where one man's tradition is a dip in the icy waters of a lake in Tiszaujvaros. We...   View Post»

Bull leaps into stands, injures 40 spectators in Spain

  • Posted By: Bryan Chan
  • Posted On: 5:35 p.m. | August 19, 2010

By Ciaran Giles, Associated Press

Madrid — A bull leaped into the packed grandstands of a Spanish bullring and ran amok, charging and trampling spectators and leaving 40 people injured, regional officials said Thursday.

Video showed the bull jumping several yards high out of the ring, clearing two barriers before landing in the stands and raising a panic as he lurched through the screaming crowd, charging and tossing everything he could.

The 1,100-pound animal was brought under control by experienced bull handlers after several minutes and later killed.

The incident occurred Wednesday at the Tafalla arena in the northern region of Navarre during an event attended by about 3,500 spectators, in which mostly young people try to get a bull to charge at them so they can dodge it.  Unlike standard bullfights, the bulls are not killed in these events.

The bull had already attempted to jump into the stands twice. After damaging a horn, he was about to be returned to the corral and replaced with another bull when he tried a third time and succeeded.

The regional government said in a statement Thursday that three people remained in hospitals in the regional capital of Pamplona, best known for its annual San Fermin running of the bulls festival.

The injured included a 10-year-old boy who was in intensive care after the bull reportedly fell on him. Another man was gored in the back and was said to be in stable condition.

In all, 40 people were treated, primarily for minor injuries.

“What could have been a tragedy ended up as a big fright,” Tafalla Mayor Cristina Sota was cited as saying in the main regional newspaper, Diario de Navarra.

Inaki Zunzarren, who was treated for bruises, told the paper: “The bull caught me and hurled me against the (concrete) seating. What an experience!”

Also lightly injured was 16-year-old Eneko Goyena Sesma.

“I was with my friends when the bull jumped over and everyone began to run. Somebody must have pushed me and I fell to the ground. I got a pretty big fright,” he said.

The regional government said the crowd was made up largely of young people, and most were able to get away from the bull quickly, avoiding a greater number of injuries.

6 Comments

  1. September 10, 2010, 8:32 pm

    LINK

    No comments yet and this happened three weeks ago? There should be a barrage of outrage at this inhumane tormenting of animals by a supposedly civilised people. Every time (and it's not often enough) I read of a matador being gored I cheer for the bulls. If this bull had killed a few people maybe the Spaniards would have a little think about the whole disgusting business – and it IS a business. Obviously the death of thousands of bulls isn't going to change their minds. Maybe some of the fat cats who make all the money behind the scenes should demonstrate their manhood by getting into the arena.

    By: rwotton@xtra.co.nz

  2. January 16, 2011, 2:24 am

    LINK

    It is a scandal that they killed the Bull – he should have lived out the rest of his life with honours. Bloody humans, cruel!

    By: simon

  3. January 18, 2011, 6:22 pm

    LINK

    We can't really blame the Bull can we? Let's take a look at ourselves and see what it was that really caused this–the answer very simply is that we did. If you cause harm then you will be harmed. It's very basic and is understood by all the wise people who have come before us. Until we change, this should be of no surprise. Certainly let's not demonize the Bull–this "tradition" has outlived it's relevance. It only proves how ignorance disguises itself in this un-noble Spanish tradition. Spaniards are better than this.

    By: jdtiberi@gmail.com

  4. March 10, 2011, 11:51 am

    LINK

    Yeah! Right on! Lets trash a 5000 year old custom. These Spaniards should all be put in jail, and don't forget our American values as well, like FOOTBALL and BOXING!!!
    This comment is the mentality of a two year old! How dare you judge the traditions of another peoples culture. What gives yo the right to "Cheer for the Bull" while a human life is at risk. Shame!

    By: Eduardo

  5. July 9, 2011, 8:23 pm

    LINK

    A hard pic to look at!

    By: FreeFrenchandHaitianCreolePress

  6. September 2, 2011, 7:56 pm

    LINK

    Well I guess that wall just isn't high enough to safely enjoy watching an animal get killed while eating sandwiches. If the humans that go put themselves at risk then that's their problem not mine. This cultural tradition is one that's long past it's relevance. Because something is old we should keep it around forever so the tourists have something to spend their money on? Or maybe we should bring back gladiatorial fights or public executions, those were old and part of our collective human culture. Then we can all get my souvenir lynching t-shirts and plastic cups. Oh right that's disturbing because it's human life. There's a distinction between the value of life. There's a distinction between suffering, animals are the only ones left to legally torture.

    By: Heather

Add a comment or a question.

If you are under 13 years of age you may read this message board, but you may not participate. Here are the full legal terms you agree to by using this comment form.

Comments are moderated, and will not appear until they've been approved.

Required

Required, will not be published