One man was gored and several others were trampled as thousands of bullfighting aficionados risked life and limb in Pamplona's annual running of the bulls festival on Tuesday. Even though the run lasts less than three minutes, there was enough drama for one day. A handful of other runners were bruised, including one Argentine who suffered head injuries, when they fell under the hooves of the stampeding beasts in the early morning ritual.
Injuries are common in the bull runs.
Last year a Briton was badly gored and three years ago a young American man was killed when he was pierced through the abdomen. He was the 13th person to die at the festival this century. The San Fermin festival reportedly began in 1591 when its purpose was merely to move the bulls from their pen to the bullfight arena. In the 17th century, a handful of onlookers ran the gauntlet in front of the bulls and the festival gradually grew into Spain's longest and best-known fiesta. I'm putting life in severe danger.