Five people injured in bull runs in Alcochete

Five people were injured this Saturday, at least one seriously, during bull runs in Alcochete, in the district of Setúbal, held as part of the Festas do Barrete Verde and Salinas, according to a source from the fire department.

Speaking to Lusa news agency, the commander of the Alcochete Volunteer Firefighters explained that people were hit by the bulls in three different areas: on the Tagus promenade (next to the wall), on José André dos Santos Street and on 5 de Outubro Avenue.

The injured have already been transported to the hospital, one of them to S.José, in Lisbon.

During the first attack, Paulo Vieira explained, the bull, which was being led by the campinos and flanked by halters (a type of steer used to guide cattle), got lost and went after a woman who was standing near the wall, causing her to fall five meters. At that moment, two other people threw themselves off the wall to escape the bull.

This situation occurred during the moment the bulls entered the town, in a procession accompanied by the campinos and the halters.

Paulo Vieira said that in another area, on Rua José André dos Santos, where the headquarters of the Aposento do Barrete Verde de Alcochete are located and where releases traditionally take place, a man was also hit.

At the start which takes place at the same time, but in an area between the Igreja Matriz de Alcochete and the Praça de Toiros (on Avenida 05 de Outubro), another collision was recorded, injuring one person.

The festivities began on Friday and will run until August 13. In addition to the incident that occurred this Saturday, there have already been other incidents, but no serious injuries, he added.

On this second day of the festivities, the bulls' entry into the town was scheduled for 7:00 pm, followed by the releases at 9:00 pm. After the bulls are collected, they are followed by various musical entertainments and the traditional night of grilled sardines in the streets of Alcochete.

Bull runs are scheduled for 4:00 am on José André dos Santos Street and 5 de Outubro Avenue.