Thousands of revelers doused each other with wine on Monday to celebrate the start of the famed San Fermin running of the bulls festival in this northern Spanish city. (Photo: AP)
Revelers sing while the band plays after the launch of the 'Chupinazo' rocket, to celebrate the official opening of the 2015 San Fermin fiestas in Pamplona. Revelers from around the world turned out here to kick off the festival with a messy party
People look on from a balcony while they celebrate during the launch of the 'Chupinazo' rocket, to celebrate the official opening of the 2015 San Fermin Fiestas, in Pamplona, northern Spain. (Photo: AP)
Five Spaniards, two Australians and one American were gored in last year's festival in Pamplona. In all, 15 people have died from gorings in San Fermin since record-keeping began in 1924. (Photo: AP)
Two men have died being gored by bulls in Spanish festivals in recent weeks — one Saturday in the eastern town of Grao de Castellon and another June 24 in the southwestern town of Coria. (Photo: AP)
A reveler sleeps at a square during opening of the 2015 San Fermin fiestas in Pamplona, Spain. (Photo: AP)
A girl is held by other revelers during the launch of the "Chupinazo" rocket, to celebrate the official opening of the 2015 San Fermin fiestas in Pamplona, Spain. (Photo: AP)
Revelers hold up traditional red neckties during the launch of the 'Chupinazo' rocket, to celebrate the official opening of the 2015 San Fermin festival in Pamplona, Spain. (Photo: AP)
Bull runs, or "encierros," as they are called in Spanish, are a traditional part of summer festivals across Spain. Dozens are injured each year in the runs, most of them in falls. (Photo: AP)
Revelers walks on the street while celebrate during the launch of the 'Chupinazo' rocket, to celebrate the official opening of the 2015 San Fermin Fiestas, in Pamplona, northern Spain. (Photo: AP)
The nine-day, street-partying fiesta was immortalized in Ernest Hemingway's 1926 novel "The Sun Also Rises" and attracts thousands of foreign tourists. (Photo: AP)
The Chupinazo takes place a day before the first of eight 8 a.m. bull runs. Thousands of people at the festival test their speed and bravery by racing ahead of six fighting bulls along a 930-yard (850-meter) course from a holding pen to the city's
Most in the crowd waved red neckerchiefs, which along with white shirts and trousers form the traditional festival clothing. (Photo: AP)
The festival started with the traditional launching of a fireworks rocket — known as the "Chupinazo"— from the town hall balcony. The heaving crowd packed the square down below, jumping and screaming "Viva San Fermin!" (Photo: AP)
Revelers from around the world kick off the festival with a messy party in the Pamplona town square, one day before the first of eight days of the running of the bulls glorified by Ernest Hemingway's 1926 novel "The Sun Also Rises." (Photo: AP)
Revelers celebrate during the launch of the 'Chupinazo' rocket, to celebrate the official opening of the 2015 San Fermin fiestas in Pamplona, Spain. (Photo: AP)
Members of the Gaiteros musician group gesture in front of the City hall, celebrating during the launch of the 'Chupinazo' rocket, to mark the official opening of the 2015 San Fermin Fiestas, in Pamplona, northern Spain. Revelers from around the
A flaming fake bull known as a "Toro de fuego" runs after revelers during the 2015 San Fermin fiestas in Pamplona, Spain. Revelers from around the world turned out to kick off the festival with a messy party in the Pamplona town square, one day
Bulls start the run in Spain; crowd doused in wine