CHAOS erupted at a popular street festival in Malaga after two men were critically injured in separate incidents just hours into the event.
A 25-year-old Feria de Malaga worker was rushed to hospital after being stabbed in the chest with a machete in the early hours of Monday.
Meanwhile, a man in his fifties was left fighting for his life after a dramatic fall saw his head become trapped in the footrest of a table late on Sunday.
The incidents marred the opening of Malaga’s historic Feria de Agosto – a week-long celebration commemorating the city’s annexation by Spain’s Catholic Monarchs in 1487.
The Costa del Sol hotspot is packed with revellers throughout the festival, which features parades, fireworks and street performances across the city.
The event has been held annually since 1491, beginning on the second Sunday of August.
The machete attack happened shortly after 4am in the fairground area of Cortijo de Torres, where the amusement rides are located.
Police said they arrested a man in connection with the attack later on Monday morning.
Initial inquiries suggest the stabbing may have stemmed from a personal dispute, although police have not confirmed this.
Witnesses said the alleged attacker fled the scene carrying the weapon after the assault.
The National Police homicide squad has opened an investigation into the attack, which is being treated as attempted murder.
READ MORE: Marbella protest planned for Sunday after trans woman stabbed to death in San Pedro
In the second incident, the man was in a fairground stall when he reportedly lost his balance and fell backwards onto a tall, round table with a metal rim.
As he fell towards the ground, his head became trapped in the table’s spherical metal footrest, leaving him with a severe injury and heavy bleeding.
Emergency crews initially feared he had died, but medics managed to resuscitate and stabilise him before rushing him to Malaga Regional Hospital.
He was reportedly in critical condition and required mechanical ventilation, with doctors preparing to operate on him.
Sources have told Diario SUR that the man appeared to be drunk, although this has not been confirmed.
Click here to read more Malaga News from The Olive Press.
