Horror was witnessed on the streets of Beas de Segura, in the Jaen Province of northern Andalucia when, during a traditional running of the bulls, one raging bull attacked and killed a 33-year-old cattle breeder during traditional festivities. Santiago Barrero San Román suffered multiple deep wounds to his abdomen, groin and chest in full view of shocked onlookers on April 24.

Deadly chaos in the toros enogados event

The incident took place around 7pm during the “desencajonamiento”, when bulls are released from crates and guided by ropes through the town to the local bull ring. Participants and spectators gathered for the San Marcos fiestas, declared of touristic interest in Andalucia. Video footage, which spread rapidly online, captured Barrero attempting to reach safety behind a barrier as the animal charged repeatedly. Several men tried to distract the bull and pull on its rope, yet the beast continued its assault, tossing and dragging the victim along the ground. Emergency teams rushed him to a temporary medical post, but he died about an hour later despite efforts to save him.

Foreign residents in Spain often encounter these popular bull events without full awareness of the risks. Unlike formal corridas in grand arenas, toros ensogados involve bulls on ropes running through streets, drawing the whole village into close proximity to the action. Unbeknown to many tourists visiting Spain each year, such activities carry genuine danger even for experienced handlers.

Caution for visitors considering bull-related events

Anyone curious about and thinking of attending a “corrida” or street bull festival should recognise the inherent hazards. Bulls weigh over 500kg and act on powerful instincts. Serious gorings like this one happen every season, sometimes with fatal results. Medical support exists at most events, yet proximity to unpredictable animals like this demands caution and respect for boundaries. Newcomers might view these colourful traditions as exciting fun, but participants and bystanders face real physical threats that demand experience and awareness.

Why incidents seem frequent in 2026.

Several high-profile cases have drawn attention early in the season. Just days earlier, star matador Morante de la Puebla suffered a severe goring in Seville’s Maestranza arena during the April Fair. The bull pierced his body and caused a painful internal injury that required emergency surgery. Another retired matador died in a corral accident in Malaga around the same period.

Spain hosts thousands of bull-related events yearly, from formal fights to local street releases. While overall fatalities remain relatively low, clusters of news stories create an impression of increased frequency, but numbers so far in 2026 have been relatively standard. Data from recent years shows no dramatic rise compared to previous seasons, but the sheer volume of festivals across Andalucia and other regions keeps risks present.

Fate of the bull after such attacks

Bulls involved in these incidents face the same outcome as others in Spanish taurine events. Organisers do not spare animals that cause injury or death. In street festivals like toros ensogados, the bull usually returns to its owner or proceeds to slaughter for meat consumption. Formal corridas end with the matador killing the bull by sword in the ring, after which its carcass leaves for butchering.

Very rare pardons occur only for exceptional bravery during a performance, unrelated to any harm inflicted on humans. Fighting bulls receive special breeding for strength and spirit, yet their role in tradition almost always concludes in death.

Current state of bullfighting in Spain

Spain maintains bullfighting as protected cultural heritage, with government support and subsidies helping maintain breeding ranches and events. Attendance at major arenas has declined over decades, yet thousands of popular fiestas continue each year, especially in rural areas where they form part of local identity and economy.

Many Spaniards, particularly older generations, see these events as living links to history, courage and rural life. Younger people show less interest these days, and animal welfare voices are growing louder, but legal protections prevent straightfoward regional bans. For foreigners living in Spain, understanding comes from recognising deep regional pride in tradition rather than viewing events solely through modern lenses.

Organisers in Beas de Segura held a minute’s silence and expressed sorrow for Barrero’s family. He left behind a pregnant wife and a young child, plus friends who remembered his passion for continuing his family’s cattle heritage with links to the respected Torrestrella line. The festival otherwise proceeded.

The Costa Calida hub of Cartagena recently celebrated its Mercado del Encanto, a public market dedicated to design, crafts, and putting local artisans in the spotlight. Taking place at the Casino on Calle Mayor, the new spring edition of the market was celebrated over the weekend of Saturday, April 25 and Sunday, April 26, and saw great success with residents and visitors to Cartagena stopping by to purchase local goods and participate in a fun-filled raffle.

A meeting point for local creatives and excited shoppers

The Mercado del Encanto was a meeting point dedicated specifically to the creatives of the municipality, with a special selection of exhibitors, both local and national, showing off their products. Among the featured items available for purchase at the market were fashion items, accessories, jewelry, and interior decoration items, all original pieces with their own identity.

The winner of the raffle got the opportunity to take home a basket of products from all the exhibitors gathered there.

The market proved itself to be a prime opportunity for visitors to take home something unique and distinctly Murcian. Made by hand with locally sourced products and with special, creative care, the products were a huge success and made the Casino on Calle Mayor the popular spot of the weekend, especially for lovers of fashion, interior decoration, and handmade and unique products.

Giving small creators a much-needed boost

The event was also important for the boosting of local commerce and small creators and artisans, who depend on these types of markets to sell their goods and reach a wider audience. Over time, the Mercado del Encanto has been establishing itself as an essential event in the city’s cultural and commercial calendar, and offers a leisure experience in an emblematic setting, perfect for discovering unique pieces and enjoying a carefully curated atmosphere.

Cartagena officials invite all residents and visitors to be on the lookout for the next edition of the Mercado del Encanto and take part in this emblematic and fun celebration of local talents.

Tucked away in La Cala de Mijas you can find Hansik. Opened only a few months in November they are bringing a few new dishes to the table with their Korean and Asian cuisine. 

First impressions count. The team are welcoming, attentive, cheerful and created a relaxed and comfortable feel from start to finish. The background music is set at just the right level, adding atmosphere without interrupting conversation and the children in the group are made to feel welcome also.  

Inside, the decor is stylish but not over the top. Gold cutlery and black napkins match the gold and black menus, complemented by green and gold chairs, gold frames with greenery and exposed modern lightbulbs giving the space a warm, inviting glow. There’s a full bar for anyone wanting to eat on the high stools, and a small outside seating area for those who prefer dining in the open air to nose at what’s happening in the street. 

Larger groups can order plenty of dishes to share around the table

We were a large group so ordered plenty to share. The food arrives hot straight from the kitchen which is directly behind our table. The Korean fried chicken is a clear favourite, crispy on the outside, tender inside, and coated in their spicy Hansik sauce with Korean mayo giving it all a nice kick without being eye wateringly spicy. The cheese and hotdog corndogs are fun and satisfying, perfect for the kids.

Some interesting things to try, the tteokbokki are small sticks of chewy rice cakes in a sweet and spicy sauce that are a strange but pleasant texture. 

We tried a few soups that were impressive. Mandu-guk has delicate dumplings filled with chicken and vegetables in a tasty broth with egg and seaweed. The kimchi jjigae has tofu and beef in a funky red soup. The dangmyeon, had interesting sweet potato glass noodles, beef, and vegetables and bags of flavour. 

Meat dishes were the stars. The unusual combination of Korean beef ribs covered in with melted mozzarella and sweet corn fell off the bone into a melted gooey sauce. The bulgogi sliced beef marinated in a soy glaze is served with fresh lettuce leaves for wrapping, these were fresh and delicious. Finally, the lamb galbi, grilled lamb chops, came with seaweed sesame rice balls, covered in spices and tender to eat. 

The drinks menu has a few different options to try something different

A mention must go to the matcha milkshakes, creamy, slightly earthy and covered in cream, and the sweet, refreshing honey iced tea. A couple of alternatives to a normal drinks menu for the younger ones that went down a storm. We didn’t opt for desserts as the drinks were enough to satisfy any sweet cravings. 

The pace of the meal was ideal, not rushed and not slow and the prices were average €5 to €10 for starter and small dishes, around €8 to €15 for soups and then meat dishes sat at around €20. 

Overall, Hansik was a really well-rounded dining experience with great food, comfortable surroundings, and genuinely really friendly warm service. A welcome addition to La Cala de Mijas and one to try. If you prefer to eat at home takeaway service is available.

You can find the restaurant at Blvd. de la Cala, 18 in La Cala. for more details visit their website.