A bullfight has ended in tragedy after a stand collapsed has resulted in 500 people being injured and five killed in Colombia, according to local reports.
There are fears that the death toll will rise further as many spectators remain unaccounted for.
The incident occurred at an improvised stadium in El Espinal in Tolima during the annual San Juan and San Pedro festivities.
Tolima’s governor, Ricardo Orozco, told local radio that at least four people had been killed, including two women, a man and a child and a further 60 have been wounded.
The incident happened during a “corraleja” – a traditional event where members of the public are encouraged to jump into the ring to run alongside the bulls.
In the wake of this afternoon’s tragedy Iván Duque Márquez, the president of Colombia, has urged local mayors to cancel similar events.
“This had already happened before in Sincelejo. I ask the mayors not to authorise more shows with the death of people or animals.”
A statement from the Espinal Mayor’s Office read: “We deeply regret what happened in the bullring.
“We want to call for calm to the entire community.
“Once the emergency became known, the relief agencies acted immediately, achieving the evacuation of the injured for primary care at the San Rafael Hospital in the municipality.”
Major Luis Fernando Vélez, director of Civil Defense in Tolima told local news site Infobae: “There is a patient with serious injuries, he was taken to the hospital in critical condition.”
Municipal government secretary Ever Sarmiento added: “Unfortunately, people who irresponsibly get into the Corralejo cannot be controlled, but we are guaranteeing safety and that the community has a healthy fun at the patron saint festivities.”
Several bulls reportedly escaped into the town of San Pedro as the catastrophe unfolded.
Local councillor Iván Ferney Rojas told local newspaper El Teimpo that the town’s emergency services and hospitals were not equipped to cope with the number of casualties.
“We need support from ambulances and neighbouring hospitals, many people are still unattended,” Mr Rojas is quoted as saying.