Six people are injured in controversial bull run that returns to Spain's Pamplona

After the third running of bulls in three consecutive years, in Spain's Pamplona, half a dozen people were taken to the hospital, including an American man aged 30 from Atlanta.

Oliver Thansan
Oliver Thansan
07 July 2022 Thursday 12:17
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Six people are injured in controversial bull run that returns to Spain's Pamplona

After the third running of bulls in three consecutive years, in Spain's Pamplona, half a dozen people were taken to the hospital, including an American man aged 30 from Atlanta.

CNN was informed Thursday by the Navarra regional government press officer that none of the six were bitten by bulls during the run.

According to the press office, the American was left with a broken left arm. The other five wounded people, four men, and a woman aged 16 years, were all from Spain. They were treated for various injuries.

On Wednesday, the first San Fermin festival of 2019 was held. It attracted huge crowds to the Spanish capital.

To celebrate the nine-day celebration's opening, thousands gathered at Pamplona’s city hall. Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the annual festival was cancelled in 2020 and 2021.

Thursday marked the beginning of the running bulls. This tradition dates back to centuries and was made famous by Ernest Hemingway’s novel "The Sun Also Rises," which was also published under "Fiesta".

Animal rights activists have long criticized the controversial event. On Tuesday, dozens of protestors were seen in Pamplona wearing dinosaur costumes.

In 2019, at least 39 people were hurt during the festival, with three others being gored.

Through July 14, the bull running will continue at 8 a.m.

Top image credit: Ruben Albarran/Pressinphoto/Icon Sport/Getty Images