A bull broke from the running of the bulls in Pamplona, Spain, and attacked crowds of runners, injuring two on Sunday while others were injured the day prior.
In this medieval tradition runners join a herd of bulls on their route through the stone-paved old town streets to the bullring, where bulls face matadors later that day.
The 1,430-pound bull, Navajito, injured two Spanish men, with one suffering cuts and bruises to his face. The other man injured his back, AFP reported, citing local government officials. The two men were hospitalized and later discharged.
The Red Cross said it treated around 80 others for minor injuries. On the city of Pamplona’s site for tourists it advises:
“Ask expert runners. The Bull Run is extremely dangerous and overcrowding makes it even more hazardous. Years of practice are needed before you know how to run.”
A 21-year-old Japanese runner was dragged by a bull on the first day, CNN reported. A 73-year-old Spanish man had his leg gored on the first day as well.
The 73-year-old, a retired architect named Victor Arrecivita Calvet, was upset he would have to sit out, reported AFP.
“What bothers me the most is that it happened precisely on the opening day. Now I will have to watch the rest of the runs on television and I know I will miss being there.”
The bulls are let loose to run down a 2,800-foot corridor in the event, which happens each morning during the eight days of San Fermin festival.
“It was incredible. You really feel alive. Time goes by really quickly, you are so concentrated in staying ahead of the bulls,” Carlos Saiz, 27, of Spain, told AFP.
Twenty-three-year-old Victor Batres of Spain, who watched the run, said “The bulls raced by much faster than I expected,” according to AFP. “I could never take part in a run, I would be too scared.”
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