Latest
STADIUM DISASTER
At least five killed and dozens injured as arena stands collapse during bullfighting festival in Colombia
AT least five people were killed and dozens injured when packed stands collapsed during a bullfighting festival.
Horror video showed the three-tier wooden framework crumbling to the ground at the improvised stadium in El Espinal, Colombia.
5
5
5
Several bulls fled the stadium into the streets of Tolima in fright as panicked revellers tried to help those trapped.
Festivalgoers were also hurt after jumping into the ring and being charged by a bull, reports
A number of children were also reported missing in the chaos.
Five people have now been confirmed dead, with dozens also injured, according to .
Many of the injured were transferred to the nearby San Rafael Hospital, which has become inundated with patients, though other local hospitals have sent ambulances to transfer some of the wounded.
A child, two woman and a man were killed in the disaster, Jose Ricardo Orozco, the governor of Tolima department, told a local radio station earlier today.
Read more world news
Shocking footage shows the moment the stands - packed with hundreds of men, women and children - collapsed.
The boxes can be seen tipping forwards before smashing into the ground.
Other audience members fell from other parts of the stands after a portion caved in.
Emergency crews have been sent in to rescue those stuck under the rubble.
Most read in The Sun
It's unclear what caused the stands to collapse.
Major Luis Fernando Vélez, director of Civil Defense in Tolima, said: "There is a patient with serious injuries, he was taken to the hospital in critical condition, there he was stabilised."
Authorities urged people at the stadium and nearby to remain calm, reports
A statement from the Mayor's Office of Espinal said: "We deeply regret what happened in the bullring.
"We want to call for calm to the entire community.
"Once the emergency became known, the relief agencies acted immediately, achieving the evacuation of the injured for primary care at the San Rafael Hospital in the municipality."
Officials are now probing the cause of the incident.
Colombia's new president Gustavo Petro has called for bullfights to be halted.
He tweeted: "I hope that all the people affected by the collapse of the Plaza de El Espinal can come out of their wounds unscathed.
READ MORE SUN STORIES
"This had already happened before in Sincelejo.
"I ask the mayors not to authorise more shows with the death of people or animals."
5
5
Topics