Sadness has enveloped Spain after the tragic death of famed 29-year-old bullfighter Victor Barrio, but his death as reignited a debate over Span’s tradition.
Victor died from his injuries sustained when the bull, named Lorenzo, gored him first in the thigh and then in the chest. Victor’s wife was in the crowd with hundreds of spectators as thousands watched the situation unfold on live television.
Many of taken to Twitter to express their condolences to the family of Victor Barrio including Spain’s Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy, who tweeted “My condolences to the family and colleagues of Victor Barrio, the deceased bullfighter this evening in Teruel. Rest in Peace”.
Victor’s wife Raquel Sanz also tweeted in response to the thousands that have sent their condolences saying “I cannot reply to you, I have no words. My life has gone. I have no strength, although I have a lot of thanks.”
While many have taken to social media to give their condolences, there seems to be a lot more people tweeting that Victor got what he deserved for what is claimed by many to be a “barbaric sport”.
#VictorBarrio should have gotten a proper job rather than humiliate animals for the satisfaction of others #Lorenzo https://t.co/t2nZYvn1Ir
— MiKE (@mparry857) July 10, 2016
#Lorenzo is the hero of the day! #VictorBarrio
— Martin Ekdahl (@martinekdahl) July 10, 2016
Bull 1 – 0 Torero, Go Bulls!! Maybe now it’s time to stop the torture! Idiotic rite! #Lorenzo #VictorBarrio pic.twitter.com/OT9p3ItVkF
— STΞFAN BΞNΞCKΞ (@stefanbenecke) July 10, 2016
#VictorBarrio got what he deserved. He chose to be in that ring, the bull didn’t. Good riddance to him
— Gary (@Buffyy839) July 10, 2016
There were some other social media users that understood that while they didn’t agree with the sport that a family did lose a son, and a husband.
Yes. Sad about matador #VictorBarrio being killed in front of his wife. But can we now STOP torturing killing the bulls? #banbullfighting !
— Sarah-Jane Crawford (@DJSarahJane) July 10, 2016
I’m sorry for #VictorBarrio ‘s family but today I feel sad for this innocent animal that will be led to the slaughterhouse, for no reason !
— Konstantina_KSA (@konstantina_ksa) July 10, 2016