Unpredictable speed and a series of falls defined the third encierro of San Fermín 2026 in Pamplona. Coverage described the Victoriano del Río bulls as agile as they moved through the city’s streets and runners tried to keep pace. A report by El Caso said one person was injured by a bull horn and many falls occurred in the basic section of the route.
As the bulls surged forward, the number of runners in narrow sections contributed to slips and collisions. The herd’s compact formation left little room for error, forcing even experienced mozos to adjust to sudden changes in pace. Slow-motion footage captured the animals’ movement and the risks runners faced on the course.
EFE photographer Jesús Diges highlighted the Victoriano del Río bulls’ plasticity and coordination. Their speed and the crowded course coincided with falls and pile-ups, particularly in busy stretches. The report on the third run described many falls and noted an injury by bull horn, but did not identify the injured person or specify the exact location and severity of the goring.
This year’s encierros have already drawn attention for their challenging conditions. In a related incident, a runner had to withdraw from the festivities after sustaining an ankle injury during the opening run. Details are available in the report on an experienced participant’s injury during the first encierro.
Falls continued to feature later in the festival. The Daily Star reported that three people, including a 48-year-old American, were taken to hospital after falls during the sixth bull run. That happened during a separate encierro and was unrelated to the Victoriano del Río run.
San Fermín remains one of Spain’s best-known festivals, drawing locals and visitors each July. The encierros, or bull runs, are central to the celebration, where tradition meets spectacle amid real risk. Each morning, runners, known as mozos, run alongside the bulls on a route through Pamplona’s historic center. The 2026 edition again brought the event’s appeal and inherent risks into focus.
