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The Telegraph
The Telegraph
National
Telegraph reporters

Seeing red: La Tomatina revellers get stuck in as 'world's biggest food fight' returns

Revellers throw tomatoes at each other during the annual 'Tomatina', tomato fight fiesta in the village of Bunol near Valencia, Spain - Alberto Saiz
Revellers throw tomatoes at each other during the annual 'Tomatina', tomato fight fiesta in the village of Bunol near Valencia, Spain - Alberto Saiz

Thousands of revellers hurled 130 tons of over-ripe tomatoes at each other on Wednesday in the eastern Spanish town of Bunol.

The scenes came as the annual "Tomatina" festival celebrated its 75th edition after being cancelled two years in a row due to the coronavirus pandemic.

A reveler lies in tomato pulp during the annual 'La Tomatina' food fight festival in Bunol, Spain August 31, 2022 - Juan Medina
A reveler lies in tomato pulp during the annual 'La Tomatina' food fight festival in Bunol, Spain August 31, 2022 - Juan Medina

The tomato fight started at midday when six trucks loaded with tomatoes drove through the main street, distributing the food for an hour.

Partygoers then throw the produce at each other in what has been described as 'the worlds biggest food fight'. The event is hugely popular with tourists from Britain, Japan and the United States.

But, local officials had said they expected fewer foreign visitors this year mainly because of continuing fears over coronavirus in Asian countries.

Six trucks loaded with tomatoes drove through the main street distributing tomatoes to revelers - Jose Jordan
Six trucks loaded with tomatoes drove through the main street distributing tomatoes to revelers - Jose Jordan

The Tomatina is said to have originated from a spontaneous bust-up amongst villagers in 1945.

It was banned for a while during the 1950s at the height of General Francisco Franco's dictatorship, but survived to gain popularity across Spain in the 1980s.

Revellers usually wear goggles to protect their eyes as they get covered head to toe in pulp - Juan Medina
Revellers usually wear goggles to protect their eyes as they get covered head to toe in pulp - Juan Medina

Almost a decade ago, the organisers had to limit the capacity and started selling tickets, as the festival was too crowded. 

As the festival got back in full swing this year, revellers were pictured enjoying the celebrations covered head to toe in red.

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