Man killed by 'flaming' bull in eastern Spain

A man has been gored to death by a flaming-horned bull during a festival in eastern Spain, an official said.

Large balls of flaming wax are traditionally fixed to the animals’ heads before they are let loose to rampage through narrow streets in such festivals.

The mayor of Navajas – which has a population of just 730 – said emergency services in his town were unable to save the life of the 45-year-old man.

Jose Vicente Torres said the accident happened when the man, who has not been identified, tripped just as the bull was released.

Many towns in east and north-eastern Spain celebrate feasts with “toros embolados”, or “flaming bulls”, which feature the animals racing around, shaking their heads as a reaction to flames or fireworks attached on to or close to their horns.