At least six people died, and hundreds were hurt in Colombia after a stadium filled with spectators suddenly collapsed during a bullfighting event on Sunday.

Initial reports said only four people were injured following the collapse of several stands at a stadium in El Espinal, Tolima. But the rise in casualties was confirmed by Colombia's Tolima Civil Defense, ABC News reported.

The department noted that six people died. According to The Sun, at least 500 were reportedly injured after the tragic incident.

Tolima Governor Jose Ricardo Orozco said the casualties included a child, a man, and two women. It is feared that the death toll will still rise further.

Meanwhile, 30 people were reported to be seriously injured following the collapse of some stands at the stadium. Tolima Civil Defense director, Major Luis Fernando Velez, said one patient in critical condition was taken to a hospital, where he was stabilized. 

Infobae reported that nine people were injured due to the charging of bulls. Six of them were taken away with serious injuries.

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Colombia Stadium Collapse: Local Hospital Overwhelmed After the Tragic Bullfighting Incident

Local councilor Ivan Ferney Rojas said their hospital and ambulance services were unable to cope with the number of injured, prompting him to call support from ambulances and neighboring hospitals.

The mayor's office released a statement calling for the entire community to be calm, adding that relief agencies acted immediately and evacuated the injured at the San Rafael Hospital.

The Colombia bullfighting tragedy unfolded when some stands in the stadium in Tolima collapsed while spectators watched the show. Footage of the tragedy circulated online, revealing the shocking Colombia stadium collapse.

A video from BNO News showed when participants were taunting the bull. Crowds began to shout when a portion of the stadium fell, prompting many people in the stadium to run. 

Crowds sitting on the portion of the stadium that collapsed were also seen falling along with the structure. The cause of the incident is not yet clear. Officials are now probing the cause of the tragedy.

Colombia's President Gustavo Petro Calls on Mayors to Stop Bullfighting

President Gustavo Petro on Sunday called on the mayors to stop the bullfighting events in Colombia following the tragedy.

"I ask the mayors not to authorize more shows with the death of people or animals," the newly elected president noted, adding that the same tragedy also happened in Sincelejo.

Petro also expressed his hopes that the people affected by the stadium collapse would come out "unscathed."

 

Bullfighting involves killing the bull at the end of the contest, and it has come into question in recent years. This practice was banned by a judge in Mexico City earlier this month over complaints of residents' rights to be free from violence.

The Sunday's event in Colombia was part of the celebrations of the famous San Pedro festival.

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This article is owned by Latin Post.

Written by: Joshua Summers

WATCH: At least 4 dead, 70 Injured After Stadium Collapse During Bullfight in Colombia - From WPLG Local 10