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Ole! Everyone's on the run in Spain when the bulls hit the streets

Last updated on: July 08, 2014 16:41 IST

Spain has kicked off its annual eight day running of the bulls festival. One person was gored in the event in Pamplona, which sees participants test their bravery and speed by dashing with 12 fighting bulls through the narrow streets. A further four people were taken to hospital, though none were thought to be in a serious condition.

Revellers cheer and throw red wine during the opening and the firing of the 'Chupinazo' rocket which starts the 2014 Festival of the San Fermin Running of the Bulls in Pamplona, Spain.

The annual Fiesta de San Fermin was made famous by the 1926 novel of US writer Ernest Hemmingway The Sun Also Rises.

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Ole! Everyone's on the run in Spain when the bulls hit the streets

Last updated on: July 08, 2014 16:41 IST

Revellers continue to party and dance through the night and day during the second day of the San Fermin Running Of The Bulls festival, on Tuesday in Pamplona, Spain.

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Ole! Everyone's on the run in Spain when the bulls hit the streets

Last updated on: July 08, 2014 16:41 IST

Revellers are charged by a bull as thousands run with Torrestrella’s fighting bulls along the Calle Estafeta during the Running of the Bulls festival.

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Ole! Everyone's on the run in Spain when the bulls hit the streets

Last updated on: July 08, 2014 16:41 IST

A steer from the Ranch of Torrestrella runs above a runner entering the bullring during the festival. One person was gored while four others had been taken to the hospital.

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Ole! Everyone's on the run in Spain when the bulls hit the streets

Last updated on: July 08, 2014 16:41 IST

A couple kisses following the midday Chupinazo rocket announcing the start of the San Fermin festival. The festival is witness to charged emotions and all inhibitions are lost, as often women tourists strip, baring their breasts during the festival.

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Ole! Everyone's on the run in Spain when the bulls hit the streets

Last updated on: July 08, 2014 16:41 IST

People cheer after hearing the midday Chupinazo rocket announcing the start of the San Fermin festival. Tens of thousands of expectant party goers holding red scarves squeezed into the town hall to kick off 204 hours of music, dancing, drinking, bullfighting and for the brave or unwary, an 825 metre daily sprint in front of six fighting bulls known as the Running Of The Bulls.

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Ole! Everyone's on the run in Spain when the bulls hit the streets

Last updated on: July 08, 2014 16:41 IST

The main square of the city’s Town Hall fills with thousands of festival-goers as the San Fermin fiesta is declared officially open.

 

 

Ole! Everyone's on the run in Spain when the bulls hit the streets

Last updated on: July 08, 2014 16:41 IST

Revellers with red kerchiefs begin the celebrations declaring ‘Viva San Fermin! Gora San Fermin!’ which means 'Long live San Fermin’, in both Spanish and Basque.

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Ole! Everyone's on the run in Spain when the bulls hit the streets

Last updated on: July 08, 2014 16:41 IST

Although the festival attracts thousands of young tourists from all over the world,  the San Fermin festival is an annual event steeped in tradition which is enjoyed by all.

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Ole! Everyone's on the run in Spain when the bulls hit the streets

Last updated on: July 08, 2014 16:41 IST

A woman is hit with a bag of ice cubes as thousands of revellers sing and dance during the opening ceremony. Part of the fun of the festival is the water fight, or more accurately, the wine fight, which takes place in Pamplona to mark the start of the festivities.

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Ole! Everyone's on the run in Spain when the bulls hit the streets

Last updated on: July 08, 2014 16:41 IST

Festival-goers dressed in traditional attire can expect to be covered head to toe in wine by the end of the day. The festival, which is steeped in tradition, has become a magnet for young holidaymakers from around the world

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Ole! Everyone's on the run in Spain when the bulls hit the streets

Last updated on: July 08, 2014 16:41 IST

Revellers are soaked in water and wine thrown from balconies during the opening day or ‘Chupinazo’, of the San Fermin Running of the Bulls fiesta in Pamplona, Spain.