Three people gored on first day of Spanish bull-running festival
Revellers sprint in front of bulls and steers during the first running of the bulls at the San Fermin festival in Pamplona, Spain, July 7, 2019. REUTERS/Susana Vera
PAMPLONA, Spain (Reuters) - Three people were gored and a further two people suffered head trauma during the first day of Spain's best-known bull-running festival in the northern town of Pamplona on Sunday, the Red Cross said.
One man was loaded into an ambulance on a stretcher shortly after the dash through the medieval town center's narrow streets to the bullring, which lasted two minutes and 41 seconds.
Thousands of runners, dressed head to toe in white, with bright-red neckerchiefs, gather every year for the traditional morning run, after which the animals are kept in the bullring until the afternoon's fights.
Revellers sprint in front of steers during the first running of the bulls at the San Fermin festival in Pamplona, Spain, July 7, 2019. REUTERS/Jon Nazca
A total 53 people were treated by the Red Cross. Runners often get injured at traditional bull-runs in Spain, but no one has died at Pamplona's San Fermin festival since Spaniard Daniel Jimeno was gored in the neck by a Jandilla bull in 2009.
This year, the bulls were from cattle breeder Puerto de San Lorenzo, whose bulls have been responsible for one goring in the past. One person was gored on the opening day of the festival last year.
Locals and tourists alike will join in the 8 a.m. (0600 GMT) run every morning until next Sunday.
Revellers sprint in front of steers during the first running of the bulls at the San Fermin festival in Pamplona, Spain, July 7, 2019. Picture taken with long time exposure. REUTERS/Jon Nazca
The festival regularly stokes debate about the treatment of animals. On Friday, protesters lay half-naked on the street with fake spears coming out of their backs to protest against what they see as cruelty.
Revellers attempt to dodge a bull during the first running of the bulls at the San Fermin festival in Pamplona, Spain, July 7, 2019. REUTERS/Jon Nazca
(Reporting by Susana Vera and Jon Nazca, writing by Sarah Dagher and Isla Binnie; Editing by Raissa Kasolowsky)
Revellers sprint in front of bulls and steers during the first running of the bulls at the San Fermin festival in Pamplona, Spain, July 7, 2019. REUTERS/Susana VeraPeople watch from balconies as revellers sprint in front of bulls and steers during the first running of the bulls at the San Fermin festival in Pamplona, Spain, July 7, 2019. REUTERS/Susana VeraRevellers sprint during the first running of the bulls at the San Fermin festival in Pamplona, Spain, July 7, 2019. REUTERS/Jon NazcaRevellers sprint in front of bulls and steers during the first running of the bulls at the San Fermin festival in Pamplona, Spain, July 7, 2019. REUTERS/Susana VeraRevellers sprint in front of a bull during the first running of the bulls at the San Fermin festival in Pamplona, Spain, July 7, 2019. REUTERS/Susana VeraRevellers attempt to dodge a wild cow following the first running of the bulls at the San Fermin festival in Pamplona, Spain, July 7, 2019. Picture taken with long time exposure. REUTERS/Jon Nazca
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