A 30-year-old tourist died after being struck by a church bell during a visit to the Sant Llorenç church tower in Spain yesterday. The accident occurred ahead of the Santa Magdalena romeria, a traditional post-Easter celebration.
The victim, part of a group including residents and the son of a family from Barcelona with ties to the town, died instantly when a bell that was ringing to announce the ceremony struck him on the head.
Attempts to revive him by emergency doctors and a fire crew were unsuccessful.
The incident has prompted police to initiate an investigation, while psychologists have been called in to support his family and friends.
Laura Vallespí, the mayoress of Pinell de Brai, has declared three days of mourning in light of the young man's death.
In response to the tragic incident, Vallespí told The Mail Online "There has always been a tradition of ringing the bell for Santa Magdalena. Unfortunately, this did not end well today."
She further suggested potential changes to this tradition: "Surely it will have to be done differently. We will let today pass because we are in a state of shock, and then we will evaluate it between the City Council, the Santa Magdalena association, and the church."
The Santa Magdalena festivities have also been officially suspended as the community grapples with the tragedy.