Spain's huge 'Tomatina' food fight returned after pandemic hiatus

Workers loaded 130 tons of overripe tomatoes along the main road of Bunol city for the attendees to throw to the truck, and left the red flesh-droplets-soaked area.

Up to 20.000 people have attended the festival and will pay 12 euros for the privilege.

The blast from the fireworks released the go ahead of the free drive at midday and within minutes the road was bathed in red lights.

The event, which took place on last Wednesday, August, was inspired by a 1945 food battle between local children in the town, which is in a tomato-farming area.

It was permitted in the early 1950s but re-introduced in 1957 following a public backlash and became an international sensation when it attracted a vast amount of news coverage in the 1980s, when it was a fixture on the national and international stage, attracting attendees from all over the world.

Local officials said they anticipated fewer foreign visitors this year, due largely to lingering fears about Covid-19 in Asian countries.

Participants wear no goggles to protect their eyes, while clothing, typically T-shirts and shorts, will be covered with flesh