Controversial event

Six injured in bloody bull run in Pamplona

(Bild: APA/AFP)

Despite all the criticism, the bull run in Pamplona in the north has taken place. The bloody spectacle left a total of six people injured - several runners were taken to hospital. 

Six people were injured after the first bull run of this year's "Sanfermines" festival - one runner suffered head trauma, the others are said to have escaped with bruises, as a spokesperson for the medical service explained to state TV station RTVE.

Last fatality died in 2009 
The festival in honor of the city's saint San Fermín began the day before and will end next Sunday. Every day, six bulls, some weighing over 600 kilograms, and several tame leading oxen are chased through the narrow streets of the old town to the arena for the bullfights in the evening from 8.00 am. Dozens of runners are injured every year in the tests of courage of the predominantly young men over the 875-meter course. There have been 16 fatalities since 1924, the last in 2009.

Animal rights groups protested against the event again this year. They called the hunt, which has been taking place since 1591, "medieval cruelty" and demanded an end to bull runs and all bloody bullfights. Despite all the criticism, the city festival continues to enjoy great popularity and attracts thousands of tourists from all over the world every year.