Spain's annual 'Tomatina' fight draws thousands

Video. Spain's annual 'Tomatina' fight draws thousands

Tens of thousands of partygoers in Spain were left drenched in red pulp after throwing 160 tonnes of over-ripe tomatoes at each other in an epic food fight known as ‘La Tomatina’ on Wednesday.

Tens of thousands of partygoers in Spain were left drenched in red pulp after throwing 160 tonnes of over-ripe tomatoes at each other in an epic food fight known as ‘La Tomatina’ on Wednesday.

Over 20,000 people – both from Spain and abroad – gathered for the messy battle in the small town of Bunol in eastern Spain, which takes place each year on the last Wednesday of August.

Partygoers from around the world crammed the narrow streets of Bunol to smear each other with squashed tomatoes.

Some participants donned swimming goggles to protect their eyes. Organisers hosed the streets down after the hour-long fiesta, while participants used public showers.

The event, which costs 12 US dollars to attend, was inspired by a food fight between local children in 1945 in the tomato-producing region.

The Civil Guard said security had been stepped up at the event, with some 700 agents deployed, following a double attack in Catalonia earlier this month that killed 16 people.