Tens of thousands of Spaniards and tourists on Wednesday engaged in the annual tomato war in the eastern town of Bunol, bombarding each other with 110,000 kilograms of tomatoes, media reported. The spectacle known as Tomatina, which started accidentally 64 years ago, has become world-famous and is being imitated in countries such as Colombia and China, officials said.
Six lorries brought the tomatoes to the town centre where they were distributed by 150 helpers. The participants, whose number was estimated at 40,000, were advised to squash the tomatoes before throwing them to reduce the pain of those who got hit in the one-hour battle.
The town was literally painted red, with walls splattered and the participants ankle-deep in tomato mush. Dozens of professional and volunteer guards, a helicopter and nine ambulances formed part of the security arrangements. An army of cleaners was preparing to move in after the battle.
The spectacle cost the city hall 28,000 euros (39,000 dollars), which it did not mind paying despite Spain's economic crisis, officials said. The Tomatina, which started as an accidental scuffle between youths who overturned vegetable stalls, draws more than 40,000 visitors to the town of 10,000 residents.