Thousands of individuals flocked to Buñol on Wednesday for the yearly La Tomatina food battle, transforming the quaint Spanish town into a sea of red using around 165 tonnes of overripe tomatoes. The chaotic tomato-throwing event lasted over an hour in the vicinity of València, with structures shielded by tarps in anticipation of the festivities.
Preparations included covering buildings with tarps before the festival, which has its roots in a food skirmish dating back to 1945. This year, over 20,000 participants are expected to join in, with approximately 40% of attendees in the past three years being international tourists, as reported by the Spanish EFE news agency.
Attendees not from the local area purchase a 15-euro ticket to take part. The primary rule is to crush the tomatoes before tossing them to prevent injuries. Nevertheless, many participants opt to wear swimming goggles and earplugs for added protection during the event.
