Annual Pamplona bull-run festival begins amid fireworks and protests

More than 1 million people are expected to attend the nine-day San Fermin event in the northern Spanish city

Partygoers and bull-running fans packed the main square in Pamplona on Saturday to cheer the launch of a firecracker which marks the start of the northern Spanish city's annual San Fermin festival.

Decked out in white T-shirts and trousers stained pink by wine, the crowd danced and waved traditional red handkerchiefs bearing the image of the local patron saint, Fermin.