Chaos at San Fermín: Rogue Bull Sparks Panic During Second Running of the Bulls

A Solo Bull Turns the Tide

The second running of the bulls at the 2025 San Fermín festival in Pamplona turned dangerously chaotic when one black bull from the Cebada Gago ranch broke away from the herd. The animal repeatedly stopped, turned around, and charged at runners, causing scenes of high tension and fear throughout the course.

Emergency services confirmed that eight people were taken to hospital, including one with a goring injury. Others suffered various blunt force traumas to the head, jaw, torso, and limbs. Medical personnel along the course reported that the injuries resulted from falls or direct contact with the charging bull.

A Flashback to the 1980s

This morning’s run, which began at 8:00 a.m. sharp following the traditional chant to San Fermín, lasted more than five minutes. The unusually long and dangerous run brought back memories of the 1980s, when stray bulls were more common and runners would often find themselves face-to-face with the animals in narrow, unforgiving sections of the course.

The main source of panic today was a bull named Caminante. From the very start of the run, Caminante began to fall behind. By the time the herd reached the final stretch on Estafeta Street, he was completely separated. Alone and disoriented, he began searching from side to side, launching repeated charges and tossing several runners into the air. For those standing in Estafeta just to witness the spectacle, it was a terrifying wake-up call.

Caminante Goes Rogue

As Caminante moved forward on his own, he behaved with an unsettling level of awareness. Observers noted how he scanned doorways and windows, charging not just instinctively, but with calculated aggression. One runner was seriously injured by Caminante’s horn near Espoz y Mina, according to initial medical reports.

The bull’s erratic behaviour forced several runners to scramble for cover. At one point, he struck a man wearing a striped shirt and then ploughed through a group of fallen participants. Those watching from behind the barricades at Telefónica were also put on high alert, as Caminante threatened to leap into the fence line. Shepherds on duty had to intervene repeatedly to protect runners, many acting as impromptu lifeguards in the chaos.

A Run Fraught with Hazards

The danger didn’t start with Caminante alone. From the beginning, the pack was already spread out, with the oxen gaining a clear lead. That left the bulls trailing behind, visibly agitated and reacting to the crowd around them. Their sharp turns and sudden charges, particularly on the left-hand side of the course, created early threats for runners.

Several bulls stumbled along the way, disrupting the flow of the herd. A chestnut-coloured bull led the group initially, followed by four tightly packed companions and a grey one trailing at the rear. The fragmented formation meant more bulls were scattered along the route, increasing the risks for participants.

In the Estafeta section, the chestnut bull hooked a runner who had opened too wide on the curve, dragging him briefly without goring him. Gaps between bulls grew, with Caminante bringing up the rear and eventually forging his own menacing path through Pamplona’s narrow streets.

Injuries From Day One Still in Focus

While today’s events took centre stage, attention also remained on the aftermath of the first run of this year’s festival. One participant remains under medical observation after sustaining a chest injury on Tuesday. According to the Red Cross, his condition is stable.

A Dangerous Start to San Fermín 2025

This second encierro has set a sobering tone for the San Fermín festivities. Although many runners found satisfaction in the high-adrenaline experience, the presence of a rogue bull like Caminante underscored the inherent danger of the tradition. With several runners injured and a clear reminder of the past resurfacing, the festival has once again proven why it continues to both thrill and terrify in equal measure.