The annual La Tomatina food fight in Buñol attracted thousands of participants on Wednesday, drenching the town in up to 165 tonnes of overripe tomatoes. The chaotic event lasted over an hour, with buildings shielded by tarps in anticipation of the tomato onslaught.
Originating from a food fight in 1945, the festival saw more than 20,000 people taking part this year, with a significant number of tourists joining the revelry from outside Spain. Non-local attendees paid 15 euros for entry, with the main rule being to squash the tomatoes before throwing them to prevent injuries. Many participants opted for protective gear like swimming goggles and earplugs.
The lively scenes captured individuals engaged in tomato battles on the streets, with some hurling tomatoes from trucks above. The festive atmosphere was marked by laughter and tomato-covered revelers, creating a vibrant and colorful spectacle in the small Spanish town.