A tourist has died after being struck on the head by a huge church bell in a Spanish vacation hotspot.
The accident occurred at 7.30am when the victim was visiting the tower of a church in El Pinell de Brai, Tarragona.
Visitors have been invited to see the bell tower at church of Sant Llorenç prior to the Santa Magdalena romeria every year as part of post-Easter celebrations.
The man died instantly when a bell struck him on the head as it was supposed to ring to announce the ceremony.
The man died instantly when a bell struck him on the head as it was supposed to ring to announce the ceremony.
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A group of residents, including the victim, were climbing the bell tower.
The victim is reportedly the son of a family that resides in Barcelona but is linked to the town.
The horrific incident happened as the man reached the top of the tower, with the bell inflicting a strong blow to his head.
Doctors from the Emergency Medical System tried without success to revive him.
The accident occurred at 7.30am when the victim was visiting the tower of a church in El Pinell de Brai, Tarragona
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Firefighters also rushed to the scene to recover the body.
A person on the scene with medical experience attempted to save his life without success.
Local police opened an investigation into the incident following the shock incident.
A team of psychologists was also called in to help his distraught family and friends.
The mayoress of Pinell de Brai, Laura Vallespí, has declared three days of mourning after the death of the young man.
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A generic image from inside a bell tower
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He was originally from the town of Terra Alta, around 115 miles away from Barcelona.
She said: “There has always been a tradition of ringing the bell for Santa Magdalena. Unfortunately, this did not end well today.”
The mayoress said there could be changes in the tradition of ringing the bell.
Vallespi added: “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.”
