Thousands of individuals flocked to Buñol on Wednesday to partake in the annual La Tomatina food battle, transforming the quaint Spanish town into a sea of red using approximately 165 tonnes of overripe tomatoes. The chaotic clash unfolded for more than an hour in the town near València, with structures shielded by tarps in anticipation of the revelry.
Prior to the festival, a man was captured covering a house with a tarp to shield it from airborne tomatoes, a tradition that dates back to a food skirmish in 1945. This year, over 20,000 participants are anticipated, with 40 percent of attendees over the past three years being international tourists, as reported by the Spanish EFE news agency.
Non-local visitors pay 15 euros for entry, with the primary rule being to crush the tomatoes before throwing them to prevent injuries. Despite this guideline, many participants opt to wear swim goggles and earplugs for added protection during the event.