2 Killed, 11 Injured as Bull-Running Festival Turns Deadly

A popular bull-running festival in Mexico turned deadly over the weekend after two men were killed and at least 11 others were injured in a series of terrifying attacks caught on camera.

The chaos unfolded Saturday in Huamantla, where 21 fighting bulls were released into the streets as thrill-seekers attempted to dodge the massive animals during the city’s annual festival.

The event is Mexico’s version of Spain’s famous Running of the Bulls and has been held in Huamantla since 1953.

But this year’s celebration quickly turned into a nightmare.

Juan Manuel Filomeno Herrera, 29, was among the people taking part when he was caught by one of the bulls.

Video from the scene appears to show Herrera trying to avoid the animal as music played and crowds watched from behind barriers.

Moments later, he reportedly tripped.

The cheers from spectators quickly turned to screams as the bull charged toward him.

The animal then tossed Herrera repeatedly as he tried to escape.

Wranglers rushed in to control the bull while bystanders scrambled to help.

Herrera suffered severe injuries to his chest and leg after being gored by the bull’s horns.

Video showed blood on the street as spectators dragged him away from the animal.

He later died from his injuries.

Another disturbing video from the festival showed a woman being knocked down and thrown toward the stands by a charging bull.

She was able to get away and did not suffer fatal injuries.

At least 11 people were injured during the event and survived, according to reports.

A second man, Luis Xolocotzi Ramirez, 57, was also fatally injured after being caught by a bull.

He suffered serious head and chest injuries and later died.

The two deaths marked the first fatalities at Huamantla’s bull-running festival in eight years.

Another man was also caught on camera being run down by one of the animals as spectators watched from behind a wooden barrier.

The festival has deep roots in the region.

Huamantla is known for its bullfighting and cattle-breeding history, and the annual event has drawn crowds for more than 70 years.

But after this year’s deadly scenes, some people are questioning whether the tradition is worth the risk.

“At what point does tradition become thoughtlessness, violence and negligence?” one commenter, Bruno Gonzalez, wrote on Facebook, according to reports.

“And when it becomes that, is it worth perpetuating it over time?” he added alongside a photo of Herrera.

“May he rest in peace.”