Saturdays are statistically the most dangerous day of the week-long San Fermin festival
ADVERTISEMENTPAMPLONA, Spain — One person was gored on the first day of the annual Running of the bulls festival in Pamplona, the Red Cross said on Saturday.
The person was caught by a bull's horn during the 875-metre run through the northern Spanish city. Four other people suffered minor injuries such as grazes after falling. All five were taken to hospital for treatment.
Around 2,000 people, most of them dressed in white and wearing red neck scarves, attend the sprint, running alongside six bulls and six bullocks on a narrow route that weaves through central Pamplona.
Rain before the race left the already narrow cobbled-streets more slippery than usual, and many other runners could be seen being trampled while corralling the massive animals into Pamplona's bullring.
Lasting just under two and half minutes, this year's sprint was slightly faster than average.
Saturdays are statistically the most dangerous day of the week-long San Fermin festival, leaving around seven people hurt each year.
The nine-day fiesta was popularized by American novelist Ernest Hemingway.