Posted on 02/17/2026 6:10:31 PM PST by nickcarraway
During the opening night of the famous Carnaval del Toro in Ciudad Rodrigo, a 65-year-old local suffered fatal injuries from a bull’s horn, sparking concern about safety at traditional Spanish events.
A beloved participant in one of Spain’s most iconic winter festivals has died after being fatally gored by a bull, in a tragic accident that underscores the risks of traditional bull-related celebrations. The incident occurred in the early hours of February 14 during the Carnaval del Toro (Carnival of the Bull) in Ciudad Rodrigo, a historic town near Salamanca in north-west Spain.
The man was participating in a nighttime event with fighting bulls
According to emergency services and local reports, the man – described as around 65 years old – was participating in a nighttime capea event, where members of the public interact with fighting bulls in a controlled arena. At around 1:15 a.m., one of the bulls charged and pierced his chest with its horn, inflicting catastrophic trauma. Despite the swift response from on-site medical teams, his injuries proved unsurvivable, and he was pronounced dead shortly after arriving at the medical post.
Man buys entire village for price of an apartment, rural Spain Local authorities confirmed that this is the first fatality at the Carnaval del Toro in 40 years, making the tragedy both surprising and deeply felt in this close-knit community. Officials have described the victim as a well-known figure in local bullfighting circles, someone who regularly attended and supported the festival’s events.
In response to the incident, the Mayor of Ciudad Rodrigo, Marcos Iglesias Caridad, expressed his condolences publicly, highlighting the shock felt across the town. A minute of silence was observed ahead of the next major event in the festival calendar, with residents and visitors coming together to pay their respects.
The Carnaval del Toro, which draws thousands of spectators, including many expats living in Spain, blends traditional carnival celebrations with a series of bull-related spectacles, including bull runs, capeas, and other festivities that date back decades. While these events are steeped in cultural tradition, they also come with well-documented risks, particularly when live animals and spectators share close proximity.
Experts and locals alike emphasise that such events carry inherent danger, even for experienced participants. In recent years, other fatal and serious injuries at taurine celebrations around Spain, from bull runs to more controlled bullfighting settings, have renewed debate about safety measures and whether further precautions could prevent tragedies like this.
Even seasoned locals can be caught off guard
For expats living in Spain or planning to attend regional festivals, this incident serves as a stark reminder to understand local customs and their risks. Many of these traditional events involve close interaction with large animals, and even seasoned locals can be caught off guard. Being aware of protocols, respecting barriers, and prioritising personal safety over spectacle can be crucial, especially at popular festivals that attract international visitors.
At this time, the Spanish Civil Guard has opened an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the accident, as is standard after serious incidents at public events. The community of Ciudad Rodrigo continues to mourn, and discussions about safety at traditional bull events throughout Spain are likely to gain renewed attention in the days ahead.
Running of the bulls on Paloma. Average deaths over the past centuries is one every ten years. Injuries-don’t know.
No prob - they’ll be using camels in a generation...
My daddy always told me,” son, if you mess with the bull, you’re gonna get the horn.”
I guess the 65 year old bullfighter did not have the same reaction time as the 25 year old.
Al Gored?
While folks need to knoww they are ready to leave this earthly
realm, participating in actities is like wanting to leave this earthly realm on the Express.
I feel it fair to say when it comes to animals such as bull, roosters, dogs, etch being confined and killed or hurt for sport...I am on the animal’s side.
Disclaimer: I eat meat. I also believe we are to be Stewards of God’s creatures.
Ugh.
I need a new keyboard. Sorry. lol
I have always rooted for the bulls.
L
He Fooled Around.
He Found Out.
(play stupid games, win stupid prizes)
>> [65 year old man] was participating in a nighttime capea event, where members of the public interact with fighting bulls...
What could possibly go wrong?
Good for the bull!
That “sport” or public entertainment there is despicable.
Farm boy here having a soft spot in my heart for the beef cattle we raised and nurtured through some trying times when a few were babies. They grew up to be sweeties mostly.
Reminds me of the old joke with the punchline: “Sometimes, Señor, the bull wins.”
Well D'oh!!!
“Ha Ha” - Nelson Munz
Mess with the bull, get the horn, through your abdomen.
Sometimes the bull wins.
"Paloma" is Spanish for 'dove.' The city where idiots run from the bulls is Pamplona.
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