Shock swept through the Real Maestranza in Sevilla on Monday, April 20, during the much loved Feria de Abril when veteran torero Morante de la Puebla received a severe horn wound from his fourth bull.

Crowds had packed the historic venue for the Monday event featuring bulls from García Jiménez. Morante attempted to control the animal with his cape but lost his footing. The bull charged and struck him in a highly sensitive area just below the left buttock. Medical teams rushed the injured fighter to the ring’s infirmary for immediate surgery.

Doctors are said to have later detailed the injury as a 10 cm wound affecting anal sphincter muscles and perforating the rectum by an eye-watering 1.5 cm. Surgeons performed wound cleaning and rectal wall repair and placed drainage. Borja Jiménez took over the bull’s handling while concern spread among spectators outside the arena. Initial reports suggested the prognosis remained guarded though not immediately life-threatening.

Toreros face frequent risks in the ring

Bullfighters encounter horn wounds on a regular basis. Studies of Spanish events over eight years recorded more than 1,200 such injuries over 13,500 occasions, producing an average accident rate near 9 per cent. Matadors absorb most of these incidents, often in the thighs or groin. While deaths stay rare thanks to modern medicine, serious cases still demand urgent vascular or specialist care.

Thousands of bulls die yearly in bullfights

Estimates indicate around 35,000 bulls lose their lives in Spanish rings each season, with global figures reaching up to 180,000 when including related events. Every traditional corrida ends in the animal’s death after a structured sequence of lances and passes. Critics describe the practice as inherently cruel, pointing to the prolonged suffering before the final sword thrust.

Bullfighting loses ground with the Spanish public

Attendance has dropped sharply over recent decades. Figures show a 75 per cent fall in spectators at bullfighting events across 25 years, from nearly 9 million in the mid-2000s to projections near 2 million today. Only about 2 per cent of Spaniards attend regularly, with younger age groups showing even lower interest in many polls. Wider surveys reveal opposition levels around 77 per cent among the population.

Fewer events take place overall, and many smaller rings have closed. Public funding continues through subsidies and youth vouchers, yet these measures have not reversed the long-term slide in popularity. Industry voices promote school programmes and media exposure to attract new followers and preserve the tradition.

Many observers view such efforts as uphill battles against changing values that question animal use in entertainment. The Sevilla incident serves as a nasty reminder of the dangers involved while pouring petrol onto the ongoing debate about whether bullfighting belongs in modern Spain.

Holidaymakers travelling between the UK and southern Europe have been put on alert after Easyjet confirmed a developing issue that could affect flights to Spain and Portugal in the coming weeks. While services are currently operating as normal, the airline has warned that certainty only stretches a few weeks ahead – raising concerns for anyone planning a summer trip.

What this means for travellers heading to Spain

Spain remains one of the UK’s most popular holiday destinations, with millions of passengers flying to hotspots every year. From Barcelona and Madrid to island destinations like Ibiza and Tenerife, flight frequency is high, especially during peak season.

That demand means even small operational issues can have wider consequences. If disruption were to occur later in the summer, it could impact flight availability, prices, and flexibility for travellers heading to Spain.

It may also affect last-minute bookings, as uncertainty can lead to changes in airline scheduling or reduced capacity on key routes.

Travelling soon? Here’s what you should do now

If you already have a trip booked, there is no immediate cause for concern, but it’s important to stay informed.

• Check your flight status regularly via the airline
• Make sure your contact details are up to date to receive alerts
• Consider flexible booking options, particularly for later travel dates
• Review your travel insurance to ensure disruption is covered
• Avoid non-refundable bookings where possible

Passengers travelling within the next few weeks are unlikely to be affected based on current guidance.

Why Spain and Portugal routes are under pressure in peak season

Routes to Spain and Portugal are among the busiest in Europe during summer.

Airlines typically operate tight turnaround schedules to meet demand, meaning there is little room for disruption. Any issue affecting logistics, such as fuel supply, can quickly create a ripple effect across multiple routes and airports.

This is why even a short-term warning can have broader implications if not resolved quickly.

Key questions travellers are asking right now

Are easyJet flights to Spain being cancelled?
No, flights are currently operating as normal.

Will my holiday be affected?
If you’re travelling within the next three to four weeks, it’s unlikely. For later trips, it’s worth monitoring updates.

Should I change or cancel my booking?
There is no official advice to do so, but choosing flexible options could offer peace of mind.

Is this affecting all airlines?
The update is specific to easyJet, but similar issues can sometimes impact wider travel networks.

What happens next for UK flights to Spain and Portugal?

The coming weeks will be key in determining whether the issue remains short-term or develops further.

If fuel supply remains stable, travellers may notice no difference. However, if uncertainty continues, airlines like easyJet may need to adjust schedules or capacity on certain routes.

For now, the advice is simple: stay informed, check updates regularly, and plan with a degree of flexibility as the summer travel season approaches.

A small fire at one of the Holiday World hotel complexes in Benalmadena prompted a precautionary evacuation of around 350 guests on Sunday, April 19, but was brought under control quickly following a rapid response by staff and the emergency services.

The incident happened in the Holiday World Village area of the resort. According to reports, the fire was detected on Sunday afternoon, starting in the hotel kitchens, triggering the hotel’s emergency procedures.

Hotel staff activated the evacuation plan and moved guests out of the affected area as a precaution. The Benalmadena fire brigade and Local Police attended, and the situation was contained without spreading further.

Three were treated for smoke inhalation but no further injuries reported

Emergency medical services were also called to the scene where three employees were treated by 061 medical staff for smoke inhalation. No further injuries were reported in the information available, and the evacuation was described as temporary.

Once the fire was under control, guests were able to return to the hotel shortly afterwards. While any evacuation can be unsettling, particularly in a busy resort, reports credited the swift coordination between hotel staff and responders with keeping the incident calm and controlled.

Holiday World Village is a well-known four-star family resort in Benalmadena area, set within the wider Holiday World Resort complex. The hugely popular hotel has extensive facilities, including outdoor pools, a health club with a heated indoor pool, and a free internal shuttle linking different areas of the resort and the Holiday World Beach Club, a 30,000m² water-park style area with multiple pools, slides and family zones. With tourists filling the hotel in the summer months to enjoy the fun all under one roof. 

Guests are advised to follow staff instructions during any emergency, avoid using lifts during evacuations, and keep corridors clear for firefighters and medical teams.

Thanks to the quick action taken by staff further damage was avoided.