Second Day Of Running of Bulls: 3 Injured

A Briton, a Japanese man and a local resident were injured Tuesday in the second running of the bulls at the San Fermin festival in the northern Spanish city of Pamplona, officials said.

The 23-year-old British man sustained a chest injury and was transported to a hospital.

A 23-year-old Japanese man and a 36-year-old local man suffered less serious injuries.

The British man, who has a bruised chest and multiple broken ribs, is listed in serious condition in the intensive care unit, city officials said.

A total of 26 people were treated by paramedics and the Red Cross after the running of the bulls, emergency services officials said.

The Red Cross has treated 44 people in the streets since Monday, of whom 36 have been transported to hospitals.

The DYA ambulance service treated 35 people, the majority for alcohol-related problems.

Three Spanish runners injured on Monday remain hospitalized, medical officials said.

The San Fermin festival, known around the world for its daily running of the bulls, started on Sunday with the firing of the traditional “chupinazo” rocket by the Pamplona Red Cross director before a large crowd at city hall.

The Red Cross official was given the honor of firing the rocket to open the festival because the humanitarian organization is celebrating its 150th anniversary of operations in Spain.

The Pamplona municipal government plans to spend nearly 1 million euros ($1.35 million) on the festival this year, with some 443 events planned.

Concerts, dances, games for children, fireworks, religious processions and parades are among the events planned for the enjoyment of visitors.

The San Fermin festival, however, is best known for its eight bull runs, which take place each morning beginning at 8:00 a.m. from July 7 until July 14.

The run through the medieval streets of Pamplona’s historic center, usually lasting four minutes, is especially dangerous because some runners take part in the event after all-night drinking binges.

This makes runners reckless and more likely to get too close to the bulls, which weigh in excess of 500 kilos (1,100 pounds).

The running of the bulls is monitored by experts who control the route and try to prevent accidents, but, inevitably, runners fall, suffer cuts and bruises, and are even gored by the animals.

About 3,350 police officers from different departments are being deployed at the festival to maintain order and fight crime.

The San Fermin festival, whose current mix of street revelry and religion dates to 1590, was popularized by Ernest Hemingway in his 1926 novel “The Sun Also Rises.”

Published in Latino Daily News

Source: http://www.hispanicallyspeakingnews.com/latino-daily-news/details/second-day-of-running-of-bulls-3-injured/30465#When:21:36:29Z