In 2017, Iván Fandiño, an experienced and respected Spanish bullfighter, met a tragic end during a bullfight in southern France. During the fight at Aire-sur-l’Adour, Fandiño accidentally tripped over his own cape and fell.
At that vulnerable moment, the large bull attacked, goring him in the torso and severely injuring vital organs such as his lungs. Though he remained conscious for a brief period, witnesses remember his last words pleading for help: “Hurry up, I’m dying.” Sadly, he suffered a fatal heart attack while being transported to the hospital.
The matador’s death shocked the bullfighting world. Fellow bullfighter Juan del Álamo expressed disbelief at the horrific accident, noting how quickly Fandiño was felled by the bull’s hindquarters.
Fandiño was no stranger to danger; in previous years, he had been seriously injured in the ring but had always recovered. His death was groundbreaking as it was the first bullfighting fatality in France in nearly 100 years.
Following his passing, prominent figures like Spain’s King Felipe and Prime Minister Rajoy publicly honored his legacy.
This tragic event came shortly after the death of another Spanish matador, Víctor Barrio, marking a grim period for the sport. Despite controversy, bullfighting continues to be defended as a cultural tradition in Spain and parts of France.
