Multiple People Injured During First Pamplona Bull Running Festival In Three Years

Seven people have been hospitalised during the third day of the Running of the Bulls event in Pamplona, Spain.

Thrill-seekers from all over the world take part in the annual San Fermin Festival that sees a small group of bulls get let loose in the city.

They charge through sectioned-off roads as people try to run for their lives and put their Temple Run skills to the test.

Injuries are common and people do occasionally die during the event after being gored by the animals.

Early reports from the 2022 event indicated that two men had been gored, however authorities later confirmed that they had been merely scratched, as per the ABC.

Michael Dwyer / Alamy Stock Photo

Six Spaniards and one Frenchman required hospital treatment, although none were seriously hurt.

A Red Cross spokesperson has told France24 the injuries are diverse.

One of the people needing treatment came in with a leg injury, whereas another runner suffered a knock to the head.

Scottish bloke Gordon MacDonald took part in this year's run and told AFP that the atmosphere was tense.

"It was a long time since we ran here so everybody was a bit kind of nervous, we couldn’t remember exactly how it was going to go," he said.

Thousands of runners take part in the event each year, with most donning the traditional garb of a white shirt, white pants with red sash and neckerchief.

Many wind up piled on top of each other as they try to get out of the way of the bulls through the city's narrow cobblestone streets.

Only the best runners and expert dodgers can run in front of the bulls and steer clear of their horns before jumping out of the massive animal's way at the very last moment.

The festival ends with a massive party of drinking, eating, and music.

It's not as fun for the bulls though, who get slaughtered at the end of the day.

Graham Hurt / Alamy Stock Photo

The 2022 event marks the first Running of the Bulls since 2019, with the 2020 and 2021 events scrapped due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

"Many suffer minor scrapes and grazes, while others need emergency medical treatment for life-threatening injuries," the Running for the Bulls said in an online statement.

"Pamplona bull run deaths are rare, but since 1910 when record-keeping began 16 people have died."

Another controversial tradition in the Spanish event is the 'Toro de Fuego'.

Translating literally to 'bull on fire', the event sees a bull's horns set alight. It's surrounded by men who fasten fake horns on its head, covered in balls of tar.

They then set them on fire, causing the tar to burn and spit burning balls around the arena. In an attempt to stop the fire, the bull will charge at walls, although it can keep burning for hours.