The 79th Tomatina turned the streets of Buñol (Valencia) red, as expected. According to the municipality, around 22,000 people took part in the tomato battle, which lasted just over an hour. Some 150,000 kilos of tomatoes were brought into the town centre on seven lorries and distributed there. An initial assessment by local emergency services and consistent reports from Spanish media, including RTVE and EFE, initially reported no serious injuries; minor injuries were treated at the scene.
The mayor Virginia Sanz and the councillor responsible Sergio Galarza had announced increased quantities of tomatoes in advance and described the event’s organisation as inclusive and equipped to handle visitors from Spain and abroad. It followed established safety procedures: the battle began after the traditional starting signal, access points were controlled, and cleaning and first-aid stations were ready. The municipality also pointed to more accessible zones and specific guidance for participants requiring assistance.
Buñol’s Tomatina has been designated a Fiesta de Interés Turístico Internacionalsince 2002. The festival, traditionally held on the last Wednesday in August, has attracted thousands of visitors for decades and has become an important economic factor for the town and surrounding area. Hotels and restaurants reported very high occupancy again this year. According to the organisers, the quantity of tomatoes was increased by around 30,000 kilos compared with the previous year to meet expected demand.
Participants described the atmosphere as exuberant and “stress-relieving”. The municipality’s advice to wear goggles, crush tomatoes before throwing them and avoid glass objects was repeated over loudspeakers. The old town began to be cleaned immediately after the event ended, with the municipality using established procedures to clear the streets quickly.
The reported figures are based on official communications from the municipality of Buñol and consistent reports from several Spanish media outlets, including RTVE, EFE, El País and the Associated Press. The use of food at major events played only a minor role in the day’s news coverage; a more in-depth assessment of environmental and economic aspects must await reliable follow-up data.
Editor: Mira Cadena (Article created with AI assistance).