At least four people have died and more than 300 have been injured after a section of a bullring collapsed in Espinal, Colombia.
The wood and bamboo stands were seating about 800 spectators when they buckled into the ring, according to officials.
Local authorities still working on the exact cause of the tragedy, according to Colombian newspaper El Tiempo, while Colombian President Iván Duque said that a full investigation would take place.
However, images from the event appear to show ramshackle three-tier stands packed full of spectators, with people spilling into the ring at will in the seconds leading up to the collapse.
Gustavo Petro, Colombia’s President-Elect, wished those affected a swift recovery, but also referenced a similar incident in Sincelejo 42 years ago that left more than 220 spectators dead when he added that local government officials should not authorise further bull festivals.
The incident occurred during a traditional event called ‘corraleja’, when members of the public enter the ring with the bulls.
Tolima Governor José Ricardo Orozco told the Blu Radio station that the dead included two women, a man and a child.
Espinal Mayor Juan Carlos Tamayo said: “I want to raise my voice of condolences, solidarity, accompaniment and fraternity on behalf of myself and that of my family, to all the families of the fatal victims and those who are still being attended in different hospitals, after the unfortunate event that happened in the plaza of bulls, ‘Gilberto Charry’.”
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