Several runners were injured in Pamplona, Spain, after a group of bulls slid onto participants at the curve of Estafeta street.
The incident underscores the inherent dangers of the San Fermin festival, where the combination of high speeds and narrow urban corridors frequently leads to accidents.
During the fourth running of the bulls, the animals lost their footing and fell onto the crowd. Reports on the total number of casualties vary across sources. An Associated Press video reported that nine people were injured [1], while other reports listed five [5], four [3], or at least three participants [4].
Of those injured, five people were taken to the hospital for medical treatment [1]. The slip occurred specifically at the curve leading onto Estafeta street, a known bottleneck in the course where the momentum of the herd often creates volatility.
Local officials and emergency responders managed the scene as the bulls continued through the streets. The event is a central part of the city's annual celebrations, though the risk of trampling remains a constant threat to both runners and spectators.
“Bulls slipped and fell onto the runners, a known risk of the fast‑paced bull run.”
The discrepancy in injury counts—ranging from three to nine—highlights the chaos of the San Fermin event and the difficulty of real-time casualty tracking in a crowded, fast-moving environment. Because the Estafeta curve is a recurring site of accidents, this incident reinforces the ongoing debate regarding the safety of the traditional route.
