Spain Injured people and animals during bull run in Pamplona

At least six people and one bull were injured during the second bull run in Pamplona in northern Spain. The injured runners, including a US citizen, mainly suffered bruises, a spokeswoman for a hospital in the city told state TV station RTVE. One of the bulls was also injured, the station reported. He had broken off part of one of his horns during the wild chase.

The bull run is part of the annual Sanfermín festival. Animal rights activists have long protested against the traditional event, which has been taking place since 1591. Despite all the criticism, the festival attracts thousands of tourists from all over the world.

Many runners fell during the race, which will be followed by six more before Sunday, even though the pavement of the old town has been sprayed with anti-slip agents before the races for years. One of the six fighting bulls also landed on the pavement, but then got up again

The festival in honor of the city saint San Fermín began on Saturday and ends next Sunday. Every day from 8.00 a.m., six fighting bulls weighing around 600 kilograms are driven through the narrow streets of the old town to the large bullring under the guidance of tame leading oxen. Dozens of runners are injured every year during the test of courage of the predominantly young men. There have been 16 fatalities since 1924, the last in 2009. The bulls later die in bullfights.

SDA