Bulls injure six participants at Pamplona festival

Thousands of thrill seekers participated in the annual Pamplona bull run over the weekend, attempting to outrun or avoid the charging bulls. Despite most avoiding injury, six individuals were hurt, with one gored and five sustaining bruises, according to local government sources in the Spanish city. The dangerous race covers 850 meters through narrow streets, with dramatic images capturing participants being trampled and seeking cover from the animals. Commentators noted the risky behavior of some revelers goading the bulls, expressing relief that no serious injuries or fatalities occurred this year. Since 1910, sixteen people have died during the festival, with the most recent fatality in 2009, highlighting the inherent dangers of the event. The festivities, including bull runs, concerts, religious processions, and copious wine consumption, were popularized by Ernest Hemingway's 1926 novel 'The Sun Also Rises'. This year, six male runners required hospital treatment, with participants traditionally wearing white outfits and red bandanas, celebrating by dousing each other in wine and sangria. The morning bull run, the first of eight during the festival, culminated in the bulls being guided away from the runners into pens by ranchers, with the animals later being killed by professional bullfighters. Between 200 and 300 injuries typically occur each year during the festival's bull runs, with participants hailing from various countries, including the UK, US, and Australia. The festival has faced criticism from animal rights activists who condemn the treatment of the bulls, which are goaded and ultimately killed in front of cheering crowds. Despite the risks and controversies surrounding the event, the traditional bull run remains a central feature of the San Fermin festival in Pamplona, Spain, attracting both locals and tourists seeking an adrenaline-fueled experience.