A bull runner was pierced in the face by a horn and 12 others required medical attention during the fifth running of the bulls at Spain's annual San Fermin festival in Pamplona on Saturday, according to the University of Navarra Hospital.
Chaotic Run Through Pamplona's Streets
The six bulls and accompanying steers charged through crowds of thrill-seekers who packed the narrow street course. The huge animals knocked people to the cobblestones, and stumbling runners caused several pileups during the two-and-a-half-minute run from the pen to the bull ring, where bullfighters kill the bulls later in the day.
One runner was gored in the face, and 12 others needed medical treatment for an assortment of injuries, the hospital reported.
Bull Breaks from Pack
A black bull broke away from the pack early in the 957-yard run and ploughed into a group of people, smacking one full in the side of the face with a horn. It was not clear if that was the moment of the goring. Many runners appeared completely unaware when bulls were breathing down their necks and, instead of trying to gore them, just shoved them out of the way.
Festival's 100-Year Anniversary
Saturday's run was the fifth morning run of the eight-day festival in northern Spain. This year's festival comes 100 years since the publication of Ernest Hemingway's novel The Sun Also Rises, which launched the San Fermin festival to international fame.
Risks and History
The last death at San Fermin's bull runs was in 2009, but gorings and broken bones are common, partly because of the large number of novice bull runners and foreign tourists who join the experienced locals.
