Tourist, 30, killed after being hit in the head by a church bell in a freak accident

A 30-year-old tourist has reportedly died in the Spanish city of Tarragona after being hit in the head by a ringing church bell.

The man, believed to be Spanish, was hit on Saturday morning while visiting the tower of a church in the El Pinell de Brai region.

He was killed instantly by the large, tolling bell as it was rung as part of the church’s post-Easter celebrations.

Spanish churches maintain the tradition of including visitors in the Santa Magdalena Romeria, which takes place two weeks after Easter.

According to the Daily Mail, the man was part of a group that had traveled from Terra Alta in Catalonia and was climbing the church tower when he suffered the blow to the head.

Laura Vallespí, mayor of the Pinell de Brai region that includes Terra Alta, has declared three days of mourning and suspended Santa Magdalena celebrations.

She said: “There has always been a tradition of ringing the bell in honor of Saint Magdalene. Unfortunately, it didn’t end well today.”

Although the bell ringing is a tradition, the mayor does not rule out the possibility that it will be celebrated differently in the future.

Ms Vallespí added: “Surely it needs 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.”