Thousands of individuals flocked to Buñol on Wednesday for the annual La Tomatina festival, turning the quaint Spanish town into a sea of red as they engaged in a tomato fight using around 165 tonnes of ripe tomatoes. The chaotic event lasted for over an hour, with buildings in the town covered in protective tarps beforehand.
The tradition, which dates back to a food battle in 1945, sees over 20,000 participants each year, with approximately 40 percent of attendees in recent years being international tourists. These non-local visitors pay 15 euros to join the festivities and are instructed to squash their tomatoes before throwing them to prevent injuries. Despite this rule, many still opt to wear swimming goggles and earplugs for added protection during the tomato-slinging mayhem.
The vibrant event, captured in lively images, showcases the unique and colorful celebration that draws in people from all over the world to partake in this exciting and messy tradition.