At least six runners have been injured at the first bullfight of this year's "Sanfermines" festival in Pamplona, Spain, Report informs referring to ASB Zeitung.
One person suffered a skull injury, while the others mainly had bruises, said a spokesperson for the emergency services to the state TV-channel RTVE. Several injured people were taken to the hospital. The bulls, which weigh several hundred kilograms, die in the bullring later.
The festival in honor of the city's patron saint San Fermin started the day before and ends this coming Sunday. Every day for the bullfights in the morning from 8:00 am, six bulls, some over 600 kilograms heavy, and several tame calves are chased through the narrow streets of the Old Town to the arena.
Every year, dozens of runners are injured during the bull-charging trials of mainly young men over the 875 meter long course. Since 1924, there have been 16 fatalities, the last one in 2009.
Animal welfare groups protested against the event again this year. They called it "medieval cruelty" and demanded an end to the bull runs and all bloody bullfights.
The festival, which has been taking place since 1591, continues to enjoy great popularity and attracts thousands of tourists from all over the world every year despite all the criticism.