One person died and another was injured when a fountain at the Glorieta del Árbol Gordo collapsed during World Cup celebrations in Ciudad Rodrigo, Salamanca. The incident occurred at 00:33, information from Castilla y León’s 1-1-2 emergency service, which received multiple calls reporting that the structure had fallen onto people gathered at the site. Sport Aragón reported that the person who died was 13 years old and the second casualty was in serious condition.
Local police and the Guardia Civil were dispatched. Firefighters from the Diputación de Salamanca joined medical teams from Emergencias Sanitarias-Sacyl at the scene. Both victims received urgent medical attention and were taken to the Ciudad Rodrigo health center. Despite medical staff’s efforts, the 13-year-old died at the facility. The other person was reported seriously injured.
After the child’s death, the Psychological Intervention Group for Disasters and Emergencies was activated to support the family. The circumstances of the collapse remain under investigation as officials work to establish its cause and assess any ongoing risks.
The incident highlights the potential dangers of large public gatherings and the need for structural safety during major celebrations. Similar emergencies have tested Spain’s response systems in recent years. During the Orés wildfire, large-scale evacuations forced thousands to leave their homes and required coordinated action from multiple agencies. For more on how Spanish authorities handle sudden disasters, see the report on the Orés wildfire evacuations in Zaragoza.
Ciudad Rodrigo, a historic town in western Salamanca province, is known for its festivals and community events. The Glorieta del Árbol Gordo is a central gathering point, particularly during national celebrations. The collapse has renewed attention to the safety of public infrastructure where crowds gather. Investigators are working to establish what caused the fountain to fall and whether further measures are needed to protect the public.
