A tragic incident unfolded Friday night, August 22, at Lisbon’s Campo Pequeno, marked not only by the fatal goring of 22-year-old forcado Manuel Trindade, but also by the death of a spectator.
In the stands of the bullfighting arena, Vasco Morais Batista, an orthopedic surgeon from Aveiro, was watching the event when he felt unwell after Trindade’s failed attempt to handle the bull.
The 73-year-old doctor was promptly attended to by Red Cross paramedics and arena security and was transferred to Hospital de Santa Maria.
Doctors there identified an aortic aneurysm, a condition that was ultimately fatal. Vasco Morais Batista passed away on Friday night.
22-year-old Forcado Dies After Being Gored by Bull
Meanwhile, at another hospital, São José, medical staff were attending to Manuel Trindade. The young forcado arrived with “brain death” after the severe injuries sustained from a 695-kilogram bull at Campo Pequeno proved to be untreatable.
Trindade was attempting the night’s first face-off with the bull from the Vinhas herd when the animal swiftly gained momentum, violently pushing him against the wooden barriers. Manuel lay unconscious on the ground and was immediately taken to the arena’s medical room.
At the hospital, he experienced cardiorespiratory arrest, and a multidisciplinary team declared his death shortly afterward.
Manuel Trindade was a forcado from São Manços but lived in São Miguel de Machede, in the Évora municipality.
Secretary of State for Agriculture Expresses Condolences
The young man’s death was mourned by the Secretary of State for Agriculture on behalf of the government, who stated, “the loss is felt by all who value and respect what is called a national cultural expression.”
PAN Calls for Suspension of Bullfighting Season
In a Now channel interview, the PAN spokesperson expressed regret over the death of the young man and the spectator who fell ill due to the event’s violence.
Inês de Sousa Real highlighted that “there were also young children in attendance,” despite UN recommendations to prevent minors from attending bullfighting events. She stressed that “this is not an isolated case.”
She announced plans to submit a resolution recommending the immediate suspension of the bullfighting season at Campo Pequeno to the government on Monday.
Évora’s Mayor “Shocked” by Forcado’s Death
Among those expressing condolences to Manuel Trindade’s family was the mayor of Évora, Carlos Pinto Sá, who expressed his shock at the young man’s death.
“I am shocked by the passing of this young man whom I had the opportunity to meet,” said the mayor.
In his own name and on behalf of the municipality, Carlos Pinto Sá extended “sincere condolences and solidarity in this painful moment” to both the young man’s family and the amateur forcado group of São Manços.
