Iván Fandiño, a 36-year-old bullfighter, was well-known for his boldness in the ring, taking on bulls that many deemed too perilous to confront.
Fateful Day in France
On June 17, 2017, during a festival in Aire-sur-l’Adour in southwestern France, tragedy struck before Fandiño even faced the bull. As he performed, his feet became ensnared in his own cape, causing him to tumble to the ground. It was in that moment that the bull charged, inflicting severe injuries that punctured his lungs and other critical organs. While being rushed to the hospital, he uttered the haunting words: “hurry, I’m dying.” Unfortunately, he succumbed to cardiac arrest en route.
Fandiño had dedicated twelve years to bullfighting and had previously endured two life-threatening gorings in Pamplona and Bayonne. His untimely death marked a somber moment in history, making him the first matador to lose his life in France since 1921. In remembrance, King Felipe VI honored his legacy. He is survived by his wife and daughter.
