Two construction workers were injured by a bull’s horn and required hospital care after being gored during the so-called Festival Pamplona, a street bull-running event held this Saturday in Amaxac de Guerrero, Tlaxcala. The festival featured two young bulls and four heifers released into circuits set up on the municipality’s streets.

The incidents took place in front of the municipal government building. Luis Fernando N., 36, from Apizaco, was struck by one of the bulls while participating in the event. He suffered a scalp avulsion (partial detachment of the scalp) and a roughly four-centimeter wound on his abdomen.

Minutes later, José Cecilio N., 37, a resident of the Atotonilco neighborhood in Amaxac de Guerrero, was injured while trying to help his colleague. He was also gored by the bull, sustaining two avulsive wounds in the armpit area.

The Festival Pamplona is a traditional street bull-running event divided into two circuits: one in front of the municipal building and another on Vicente Guerrero Street, between Ignacio Zaragoza and Benito Juárez. It was in the first circuit where Luis Fernando entered the bull’s area to join the festivities, which drew dozens of spectators.

According to Luis Fernando’s own account to emergency responders, he was distracted for a few seconds while using his cellphone and did not notice the bull approaching. The animal suddenly charged and knocked him down, leaving him vulnerable for several tense moments as he tried to fend off further attacks.

José Cecilio, who had been standing near a window ledge of the public building, rushed down to distract the bull and help his friend escape the danger zone. Although he succeeded in diverting the animal’s attention, he was also struck and thrown to the ground, suffering horn-inflicted injuries.

Emergency personnel provided first aid on site, stabilizing both men before transferring them to different medical facilities. Their injuries are serious but not life-threatening.

Luis Fernando was taken to the General Hospital of Nativitas by paramedics from Contla de Juan Cuamatzi, while José Cecilio was admitted to the IMSS-Bienestar Hospital in Contla de Juan Cuamatzi, assisted by paramedics from Amaxac de Guerrero.

The response also involved Civil Protection teams from Santa Cruz Tlaxcala, Tlaxco, and Tetla, who supported preventive coverage and emergency care during the event.

While the Festival Pamplona’s street bull-running tradition carries risks, it remains a culturally significant event that brings communities together. The presence of coordinated emergency services highlights ongoing efforts to balance cultural heritage with public safety.