A six-year-old boy was crushed to death by a carnival float Saturday when he ran to gather sweets from under it at a seasonal parade in southern Spain, an official and media said.

The child slipped away from his parents and darted under the vehicle during the traditional Twelfth Night parade in the city of Malaga, Spanish media reported.

He was crushed by a wheel of the truck on which the float was mounted and died shortly afterwards.

The mayor of Malaga Francisco de la Torre, confirming the news in comments broadcast on television channel TVE, said the boy's own father agreed the parade should not be called off, given the huge crowds that had turned out to see it.

"I spoke with the father personally, it was naturally upsetting. He was of the opinion that the parade should continue," the mayor said.

The "Kings' parade" marking Epiphany is a major seasonal celebration in cities across Spain, with participants throwing out sweets to the crowds from colourful floats.