topics
tools
Expatica countries
Index Last Var.(%)
BEL 20 2119.44 0.28
DAX 6339.94 0.38
IBEX 30 6543 0.13
CAC 40 3047.94 0.32
FTSE 100 5351.53 0.03
AEX 292.76 0.23
DJIA 12454.83 -0.60
Nasdaq 2837.53 -0.07
FTSE MIB 13154.8 0.36
TSX Composite 11576.47 0.09
ASX 4081.2 -0.61
Hang seng 18713.41 0.25
Straits Times 2772.75 -0.24
ISEQ 20 500.94 1.55
You are here: Home News Spanish News Nine in hospital after first day of Sanfermines bull runs

Spanish News

archive
Enlarge font Decrease font Text size


08/07/2008Nine in hospital after first day of Sanfermines bull runs

The nine people, who suffered mild injuries such as a concussion and broken nose, include internationals from United States, United Kingdom, South Africa and New Zealand.

8 July 2008

MADRID - At least nine people, several of them from English-speaking countries, were hospitalised on Monday following the first running of the bulls in Pamplona, which is hosting its famous nine-day Sanfermines celebration.

Many of the injured were men in their twenties who took part in the early-morning run down Pamplona's cobblestoned city centre and into the bullring, where the six bulls from the Corte de la Conde ranch were to be fought in the afternoon.

The injuries - none of which were caused by gorings but rather by falls and blows - ranged from concussion to a broken nose. There were at least five Spanish victims, besides one from the United States, one from Britain, one from South Africa and one from New Zealand.

Experts described Monday's run as "dangerous," after a few bulls broke off from the herd and lost their bearings, running amok among a group of runners who were standing nearby. It took over four minutes for the last of the fighting bulls to enter the ring, a slow time compared to other years' standards.

Statistically, Mondays have been shown to be the most dangerous day of the Sanfermines.

Before beginning the first of this year's eight runs, organisers and runners paid tribute to Iñaki Ochoa, the veteran mountaineer who died during an expedition to the Himalayas two months ago, and who used to participate in the first stretch of the encierros every year.

A 23-year-old Irishman died on Sunday night after falling off a 30-meter wall surrounding the old part of the city. Since 1924, 14 people have died during the runs, and several more from accidents such as this one.

[El Pais / S. U. / Expatica]

We invite you to contribute to this article by sending related photos or videos. You can either send them to photos@expatica.com or add them to our newly-created flickr group at http://www.flickr.com/people/expatica/. All contributed material will be credited accordingly.


0 reactions to this article

Be the first person to add a comment

General rating: Not rated yet

Rate article:    Add my rating



0 reactions to this article

Be the first person to add a comment
Discussion Forums

Technology in Spain

Sat phones/internet links

English in Spain

What is the best travel insurance cover to Spain?

American in Spain

U.S. citizens, plan to vote in 2012? Did you know...

Relocation to Spain

thinking of moving to madrid

Jobs in Spain

Job Agencies or how to find work.

participate in the forums

Inside Expatica
Editor's Guide: Getting Started in Spain

Editor's Guide: Getting Started in Spain

Expatica's Getting Started section will provide practical information on how you can open a bank account, exchange your driving licence, improve your Spanish, and more.

Groups and Clubs in Madrid

Groups and Clubs in Madrid

Here's a guide to an extensive list of groups and clubs in Madrid for expats, from sports groups to social and family gatherings.

Groups and Clubs around Spain

Groups and Clubs around Spain

A brief introduction to our Tax section for Spain, from help with inheritance tax to accounting advice.

Groups and Clubs in Barcelona

Groups and Clubs in Barcelona

Here's a short introduction to our Banking section for those living in Spain, from what to ask the experts to opening a Spanish bank account.