A runner at Spain's San Fermin festival in Pamplona was gored directly in the face, an injury that sent blood streaming down his head as he was carried away by medics. The attack happened on the fourth morning of the world famous bull run, a tradition that draws thousands of thrill seekers and spectators each July.
A horn to the face on a crowded street
The goring occurred on a narrow cobblestone street where six fighting bulls and six steers run alongside hundreds of participants. The victim, whose name has not been released, was trampled and then lifted by a bull's horn, which pierced his face. Video from the scene showed him being rushed away by emergency workers with a visible wound to his cheek or jaw area. He was taken to a local hospital for treatment. Officials have not disclosed the severity of the injury or his current condition.
Why locals still care about this centuries old event
The San Fermin festival, made famous worldwide by Ernest Hemingway's 1926 novel "The Sun Also Rises," is deeply rooted in Pamplona's identity. For locals, the daily encierro, or bull run, is not just a tourist spectacle but a test of courage and a link to traditions dating back to the 14th century. Each year, the event stirs debate between those who defend it as cultural heritage and those who call it cruel and dangerous. Injuries are common. Since 1910, 16 people have been killed in the Pamplona bull run. The last death was in 2009, when a 27 year old man was gored in the neck, lungs, and heart.
A festival that mixes adrenaline with risk
The run lasts only a few minutes but carries high stakes. Participants run ahead of the bulls along a 875 meter course from a corral to the city's bullring. Many are tourists who underestimate the speed and power of the animals, which can weigh up to 700 kilograms. The bulls are later killed in afternoon bullfights, a practice that animal rights groups condemn. This year's festival runs from July 6 to July 14, with a bull run each morning at 8 a.m. The face goring is a stark reminder that even experienced runners are not safe from the horns.
