At least five people have been killed, and hundreds more injured after a packed stadium collapsed during a bullfight in El Espinal, Colombia with fears the count may rise
A bullfight has ended in tragedy after a sqtand collapsed has resulted in 500 people being injured and five killed in Colombia, according to local reports.
There are fears that the death toll will rise further as many spectators remain unaccounted for.
The incident occurred at an improvised stadium in El Espinal in Tolima during the annual San Juan and San Pedro festivities.
Tolima's governor, Ricardo Orozco, told local radio that at least four people had been killed, including two women, a man and a child and a further 60 have been wounded.
READ MORE: Bullfighting's South American home moves to ban the bloodthirsty tradition
The incident happened during a "corraleja" – a traditional event where members of the public are encouraged to jump into the ring to run alongside the bulls
Shocking video footage from the stadium shows the moment that the stands – which were packed with hundreds of spectators – slowly tipped forward before disintegrating in the arena.
During the this afternoon's chaos, nine people who jumped in the ring with the bull were hurt, including six who were taken to hospital with serious injuries, according local news reports.
A bullfight has ended in tragedy after a stand collapsed has resulted in 500 people being injured and five killed in Colombia, according to local reports.
There are fears that the death toll will rise further as many spectators remain unaccounted for.CLICK TO WATCH THE VIDEO HERE
The incident occurred at an improvised stadium in El Espinal in Tolima during the annual San Juan and San Pedro festivities.
Tolima's governor, Ricardo Orozco, told local radio that at least four people had been killed, including two women, a man and a child and a further 60 have been wounded.
READ MORE: Bullfighting's South American home moves to ban the bloodthirsty tradition
The incident happened during a "corraleja" – a traditional event where members of the public are encouraged to jump into the ring to run alongside the bulls.
Shocking video footage from the stadium shows the moment that the stands – which were packed with hundreds of spectators – slowly tipped forward before disintegrating in the arena.
During the this afternoon's chaos, nine people who jumped in the ring with the bull were hurt, including six who were taken to hospital with serious injuries, according local news reports.
In the wake of this afternoon's tragedy Iván Duque Márquez, the president of Colombia, has urged local mayors to cancel similar events.
Mr Márquez tweeted: "I hope that all the people affected by the collapse of the Plaza de El Espinal can recover from their wounds unscathed.
"This had already happened before in Sincelejo. I ask the mayors not to authorise more shows with the death of people or animaL