Madrid, Aug 6 (EFE) The number of businesses and individuals filing for bankruptcy in Spain reached a record 3,285 in the first half of this year, or triple the figure in the same period in 2008.

Firms and the self-employed accounted for all but 515 of the filings, the National Statistics Institute (INE) said Wednesday.

By industry, 32.1 percent of the firms declaring bankruptcy in the second quarter were mainly involved in construction or real estate sales, while 24.9 percent were in industry and energy, and 17.3 percent operated in the retail sector.

Bankruptcies continued to affect small businesses, with 74.7 percent of companies seeking protection from creditors registered as limited liability corporations and 64.