A 1,100-pound bull made a terrifying leap over a safety barrier at a Spanish bullfighting arena, coming dangerously close to goring women seated in the front row.
The bull, named Malacara, charged at the matador before launching itself over the fence during Sunday’s final event at this year’s Murcia Bullfighting Fair, Spanish outlet 20minutos reported.
Shocked spectators gasped as the animal cleared the barrier and raced through the enclosed area between the seating section and the bullring.
“There were women in those seats, and they came very close to being gored by the bull’s horns,” witness Juan Perez said, according to The Sun.
“The animal was completely out of control. It was incredibly lucky that no one was injured.”
Malacara, which came from the renowned La Espartales bullfighting ranch, “jumped into the exit alleyway twice” before a matador finally brought it to a stop with a “killing lance,” an official said.
“This was necessary to finish the bull,” officials told the outlet.
Bullfighting has been part of Spanish tradition for centuries, but the sport remains deeply controversial, with opponents condemning it as animal cruelty.
Both matadors and spectators have suffered injuries at bullfighting events.
In July, renowned Spanish matador Morante de la Puebla, known as the “king of bullfighters,” was gored in the rectum during a performance in Seville that went wrong.
The injury caused such severe pain that he was unable to eat or sleep.
Last year, a spectator suffered a fractured rib after a bull leapt into the stands during an event in Cadreita.
