More than 45,000 people from five continents have now formed a human tide of red sauce flooding the streets of the Valencian town of Buñol during the Tomatina, a “war” of vegetables, in which an attack of over 120 tons of tomatoes has been launched.

Half an hour before the start of the battle, the streets of the village began to fill with people looking to find the best spot whilst yelling “tomate, tomate”, pending the commencement of the party that has 64 years of tradition.

This is a fun festival that occurs on the last Wednesday in August every year, in which no animal are harmed and people are seldom injured, unlike the running of the bulls or other similar celebrations.

At eleven in the morning, the signal was given and the battle began. Tomatoes being spread from six large trucks.

For an hour, locals and visitors from different countries have engaged in a war of tomatoes. The participants, mostly dressed in old clothes and wearing goggles to protect eyes, fired their “shells” to the people closest or known, although some have managed to reach the windows of neighboring houses.

As the minutes passed, the environment turned red amid the laughter and revelry of a crowd crushing or squeezing the tomatoes before throwing them in order to lessen the pain that they can cause on impact.

After the explosion of a second rocket, which was shot at noon, the Tomatina of 2009 ended. Attendees have started to head towards the river and showers provided by the city council to try to clean the remains of tomatoes from their bodies, hair and clothing.

Half an hour later, neighbours and municipal workers proceed to clean the streets, which, in minutes, leaves no trace of the tomato. More than forty police and Guardia Civil officers, 70 members of civil protection, nine ambulances and several medical stations along the route have ensured the security and integrity of the participants.

Municipal sources have reported that at the end of the Tomatina, there were no serious incidents, although some people have been treated for bruises, small cuts, heat stroke or hypothermia.

There were traffic problems whilst the streets were closed off and diversions put in place, but nothing severe for the “world’s funniest holiday” in the words of Mayor of Buñol, Fernando Giraldós.

AP / Fernando Bustamante

EFE / Kai Försterling

EFE / Biel Aliño

EFE / Biel Aliño