Terrifying moment as families run for their lives after raging bulls are accidentally released onto the streets during the Spanish festival
- Horror footage shows people being chased by beasts in the town of Gata de Gorgos
This is the heartbreaking moment when children and parents with toddlers in their arms run for their lives after a pack of bulls was accidentally set loose at a Spanish festival.
Footage from the drama showed dozens of people running to safety down a busy street as nine of the animals came at them from behind.
Among them was a father in jean shorts with his infant child in his arms who unconsciously began to walk towards the bulls before turning and running as fast as he could as he saw the panic on the faces of those around him.
Others seemed gripped by fear when they chose to stand with their backs against the wall of an underpass as the animals charged by them just inches away.
Many of those filmed running away from the bulls as they approached them from behind were clearly teenagers.
Children and parents with toddlers in their arms run for their lives after a pack of bulls was accidentally released at a festival in Spain
The bulls were caught on camera racing down a road in the small market town of Gata de Gorgos
The horror scenes took place on Saturday in the small market town of Gata de Gorgos, 15 minutes inland from the popular holiday resort of Javea on the Costa Blanca.
A parade had just taken place to coincide with the annual festival, with youngsters donning traditional flamenco and fancy dress, when the bulls that would later be released onto revelers were freed from their pens early due to a ‘communication error’.
Miraculously, the animals ignored locals trying to get to safety and there were no reports of casualties before they were apprehended with the help of local police and civil defense.
City hall heads were forced into a fawning apology after the scenes went viral over the weekend.
They said in a statement released late yesterday: “The 2023 Festivities Commission and the Gata de Gorgos Town Hall wish to apologize for the events that took place yesterday during the bullfighting festivities.
“We know that this incident has confused many people and that the image of our festival has been tarnished.
“The 2023 Fiestas Commission and Gata City Town Hall inform you that all necessary measures have been taken to prevent this from happening again.
“We also appreciate the prompt action of the emergency services, Civil Protection volunteers and the local police who acted professionally and efficiently to bring the situation under control and prevent serious damage.
Finally, we would like to ask for calmness and trust, and we invite you to continue to enjoy the festivities with responsibility and respect, as these festivals are a source of joy and pride and we do not want any unfortunate event to ruin them. We are a strong, united and festive city that overcomes adversity.
“Thank you very much for your understanding and cooperation.”
Nine bulls can be seen descending on a man sprinting up the road to safety
The apology didn’t catch on with one resident who replied, “If I pull the red light and they catch me, I’ll be fined.”
“This dangerous incident was caused by someone’s negligence.”
Expat Ken Cook, who lives in Gata de Gorgos, added: ‘I can’t believe that in this enlightened time we are still paying for bull runs. Have we forgotten how many people died during the running of the bulls!’
Bull events called Bous al Correr, in which revelers try to avoid the animals when they are released onto the streets, remain extremely popular in the Valencia region, which includes the provinces of Castellon, Valencia and Alicante.
There have been many deaths over the years in events like this, where revelers were gored or knocked down by bulls and fell their heads to the ground.