Animal rights activists have staged a protest outside Valletta to ban horse carriages or karozzin after a horse died last week when it panicked and ran into a bus.

Around a dozen protestors gathered near the Phoenicia hotel, near the spot where the horse tragically died, with red candles and large black placards.

Messages on the placards condemned the ongoing tradition of karozzin and included slogans like “slaves to our traditions” and “you ride they die”.

A chalk outline was also drawn on the road with the words “RIP Ban Karozzin”.

A horse died last week after it reportedly panicked and ran into the side of a bus near Valletta.

The incident happened at around 3pm on Saturday 8th April in Triq l-Assedju l-Kbir, Floriana.

Initial investigations indicate that the horse fled while still attaching to its carriage, though no passengers were on board at the time, and neither was the driver.

A 38-year-old woman from the Philipines who was aboard the bus was taken to Mater Dei due to suffering from shock.

Karozzin dates back to the mid-nineteenth century and was popular for general transport. Today it is still used in ceremonies such as funerals, and as a tourist attraction, mostly in Mdina and Valletta.

Do you think karozzin need to be banned?