Spanish matador Iván Fandiño tragically died in 2017 after being gored by a bull during a bullfighting festival in Aire-sur-l’Adour in southwest France. The experienced 36-year-old, originally from Spain’s Basque Country, had built a reputation over more than a decade for bravely facing bulls that many other matadors considered too dangerous. On the day of the accident, he had already completed one bout before returning to the arena for another fight. During the performance, Fandiño became entangled in his cape and lost his footing, causing him to fall to the ground. In the seconds that followed, the charging bull struck him with its horn. The animal, weighing nearly half a tonne, inflicted severe injuries to his torso, damaging several vital organs, including his lungs. Despite the seriousness of the wound, Fandiño remained conscious as he was carried from the arena while medical teams rushed to assist him.

Witnesses later recalled the dramatic moments as the injured matador was taken away for emergency treatment. According to reports, his final words were, “Hurry up, I’m dying,” spoken as he was transported toward a nearby hospital. Sadly, he suffered a fatal heart attack on the way. Fellow matador Juan del Álamo, who later completed the fight by killing the bull, said the tragic incident happened extremely quickly and left many in shock. Fandiño had previously survived other dangerous injuries during his career, including being knocked unconscious in France in 2014 and thrown into the air during a fight in Spain the following year. His death stunned the bullfighting community and marked the first time a matador had died in France in nearly a century. Tributes followed from across Spain, including recognition from King Felipe VI, highlighting Fandiño’s influence within the controversial yet longstanding cultural tradition of bullfighting.