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Stadium collapses in Colombia during bullfight

by amyjudd | July 23, 2008 at 06:18 pm | 173 views | 3 comments

About 80 people were injured during a bullfight in Colombia today when the stands in the stadium collapsed underneath the weight of too many people.

The stadium was holding about 500 people, but at this time it is not known how many were allowed to be in there. When the collapse happened, the people screamed and scrambled for safety, as the bull charged towards the stands and the crowds.

Two men dressed as clowns tried to distract the bull and tempt it away from the mass of people before others joined them in trying to pin it down.

The dramatic events at the annual fiesta were caught live on television and an investigation into how it happened has been launched.

Edna Patricia Guzman, one of the injured spectators, said the venue was packed and over capacity.

"The bullfighting ring was full and the organisers kept letting more people come, so it was a very strong fall," she said.

Another spectator said: "Everybody was jumping and the stands were too weak - I mean they were moving a lot, no-one paid any attention to the stands."

More than 80 people were reportedly taken to the local hospital after rescue workers and local residents helped them to safety.