Madrid matadors gored by bulls at festival launch
Matador Antonio Nazare was the second matador to be wounded at the San Isidro festival launch
A major event in Madrid’s bullfighting season had to be cancelled after all three matadors were gored by bulls.
David Mora suffered the worst injuries, as one of the animals rammed its horn into his leg and tossed him into the air at the Las Ventas bullring.
He was said to be in a serious but no longer life-threatening condition.
The organisers of the prestigious San Isidro festival said it was the first time in 35 years that the event had had to be suspended.
About 2,000 bullfights are still held every year in Spain, but the numbers are falling. In 2010, Catalonia became the second Spanish region after the Canary Islands to ban the tradition.
Opponents describe the blood-soaked pageants as barbaric, while fans – including Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy – say the tradition is an ancient art form deeply rooted in national history.
‘Horrific, shocking, chilling’Mr Mora, who opened the programme, fell to the ground after being knocked over by a 532kg (1,172lb) bull.
A shocked crowd watched in horror as he was gored and thrown through the air. Mr Mora sustained a large gash in his thigh and another in his armpit, bullring officials said.