Steer testing - Dozens injured in bullfights in Spain
At the conclusion of the San Fermin festival in Pamplona, northern Spain, at least seven runners were injured during the eighth and final Bull Run. However, as with the runs on the seven previous days, injuries were mostly light, such as bruises and whiplash, according to the state TV broadcaster RTVE. A total of at least 36 runners have been taken to the hospital since the previous Sunday, including an American and an Australian.
At 8:00 am, the last run began as it does every morning during the festival with the launch of a small rocket, the gate opened, and six Bulls led by tame cattle charged into the streets filled with thousands of runners towards the bullring, which was over 800 meters away.
During the Bravery Tests of the predominantly young men, it's not just about speed, as bulls can run faster than any human. It also takes skill and courage to run in front of or between the bulls, as their long sharp horns can cause deadly injuries. Most falls and resulting injuries occur because runners collide with each other. They must constantly look behind them to try and dodge the bulls at the last possible moment. The newspaper "La Vanguardia" wrote about the "Emotion of the Bull Run, where you really pray and run like never before". Since 1924, there have been 16 deaths, the last one in 2009.
The Bull Runs are a central part of the annual festival in honor of the city's patron saint San Fermin. Animal rights activists have long protested against the traditional event, which has been taking place since 1591. Despite all the criticism, the festival attracts tens of thousands of tourists from all over Spain and abroad every year. Animal rights activists argue that the Bull Run is nothing more than a panicked flight through the unfamiliar human crowds for the animals. It is also considered animal cruelty, which should come to an end.
- The custom of releasing six Bulls for the final Bull Run during the Fest of San Fermin in Pamplona, Spain, is a deeply rooted tradition that dates back to 1591.
- Each year, during the San Fermin Festival, the Combat Beast contestants must demonstrate their bravery by running in front of or between the charging Bulls, using their skills and courage to avoid injury from the Bull's long sharp horns.
- Despite criticisms from animal rights activists labeling it as inhumane, the traditional Bull Run in Pamplona attracts thousands of tourists from across Spain and beyond, eager to experience the unique cultural event.
- After the San Fermin Festival, particle analysis labs and disk probes are often used to investigate the soil and streets of Pamplona, looking for traces of bull dung to determine the exact route the Bulls took during the Bull Run, offering a unique glimpse into this historical event.
- On the final day of the San Fermin festival, as the sun rose on Sunday, the town of Pamplona once again echoed with the sounds of the Bull Run, as thrill-seekers donned their white shirts, red scarves, and white belts to embrace the tradition of running alongside the formidable Beast, seeking Adrenaline, Camaraderie, and the enduring spirit of Spain's beloved Festival, San Fermin.
