By Charisa Bossinakis
At least five people have died, and around 500 people are injured after a stadium collapsed during a bullfight in Colombia.
The state’s governor Ricardo Orozco confirmed the deadly accident to local radio station, BluRadio Colombia, according to CNN.
"At this moment, we have four [dead] victims confirmed, two women, an adult man and a minor, plus about 30 people seriously injured," he said.
"Of course, we have activated all the hospitals and ambulances we can work with.
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Major Luis Fernando Vélez, director of the civil defence department, revealed that there 'is talk of 500 wounded' after the stadium collapsed.
Newly elected Colombian President Gustavo Petro posted the video showing the terrifying moment when the stadium began to crumble, leading spectators to run away from the stands.
The Mayor of Espinal, Juan Carlos Tamayo, also confirmed the tragedy via a Facebook post: “Deeply regretting what happened in our bull square Gilberto Charry.
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"I want to ask the citizens that are in the bull square please evacuate, as the control agencies are attending the emergency and already evacuated the injured to the hospitals.
"Let's evacuate please, among all let's help the relief agencies to do their job, and we will advance investigations in the face of what happened."
Authorities haven't been able to explain what caused the stadium to collapse.
The death toll is expected to rise as investigations continue.
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Following the tragedy, President-elect Petro has urged Mayors to prohibit these kinds of events that put the safety of animals and people at risk.
Today (Monday, June 27), he wrote on Twitter: “I hope that all the people affected by the collapse of the Plaza de El Espinal can come out of their wounds unscathed.”
Petro also noted a similar accident that unfolded in Sincelejo, where 222 people died after a stadium collapsed around a bull ring in 1980, according to History.
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He added: “I ask the mayors not to authorise more shows with the death of people or animals.”
Governor Orozco also revealed that regional authorities are trying to ban ‘corralejas’, aka bullfighting festivals, as they are dangerous and encourage animal abuse, according to France 24.
Earlier this month, another person died after being gored by a bull during a corralejas in Repelon.
While animal abuse is illegal in the country, bull and cockfighting are allowed as a court ruling determined them as part of Spain's ‘national heritage’.
The SPORTbible Team