Spain: San Fermín festival starts in Pamplona July 6

Event

The annual San Fermín festival started in Pamplona at 12:00 (local time) on Friday, July 6. Over 1 million people are expected to visit the city during the festival, which ends on Saturday, July 14. Authorities have implemented heightened security measures including additional police surveillance, a 24-hour hotline, and a mobile app that allows individuals to report abuse to protect visitors. Crowded conditions and transportation disruptions are expected in Pamplona during the festival.

Context

Despite the new measures, some activists are calling for the government to do more to prevent sexual assault and voiced concerns about risks for women in Pamplona. Protests broke out in Spain on April 26 after five men accused of gang raping an 18-year-old woman during the San Fermín festival in Pamplona in 2016 were found guilty of "continuous sexual abuse," a lesser offense. A Pamplona court sentenced each of the men to nine years in prison and ordered each to pay EUR 10,000 (USD 12,150) in compensation to the victim; the prosecution sought sentences of 22 years in prison for each accused man and EUR 250,000 (USD 303,690) in compensation.

Advice

Individuals visiting Pamplona during the San Fermín festival are advised to remain vigilant and to be prepared for crowded conditions at the airport and hotels, as well as other associated disruptions.