April 21, 2026, 2:21 p.mApril 21, 2026, 2:21 p.m
Spanish star bullfighter Morante de la Puebla was seriously injured during a bullfight at the La Maestranza arena in Seville.
The bull gores the star bullfighter.Image: keystone
According to Spanish media reports, the 46-year-old suffered a deep wound in the area of the anus and intestines when the bull Clandestino, weighing over 500 kilograms, speared him from behind with one of its long, pointed horns. He was then operated on for two hours, the newspaper “El País” reported, citing the doctor responsible.
The incident occurred in one of Spain’s most famous bullrings. La Maestranza in Seville is regularly the scene of large corridas. De la Puebla is one of the most famous and popular bullfighters in Spain. He is revered by his followers as an exceptional expert who particularly embodies the art of bullfighting.
According to the media, dozens of deaths since the beginning of the 20th century
There are no exact statistics, but Spanish media speak of dozens of deaths since the beginning of the 20th century. Just at the beginning of April, an employee of a bullring in Málaga was killed. The man was gored by one of the bulls, which weighed up to 600 kilograms, while unloading the animals. In 2016, bullfighter Víctor Barrio died in Teruel when a bull pierced his heart with its horn.
Bullfighting is highly controversial in Spain and internationally. Proponents see it as part of the national tradition that needs to be preserved. Critics, however, firmly reject the corrida. They view bullfighting as animal cruelty and have been calling for an end to the practice for years. (hkl/sda/dpa)