Thousands of revellers descended upon the narrow streets of Buñol, Spain, on Wednesday for the annual La Tomatina festival, transforming the town into a sea of red as they engaged in a massive tomato-throwing battle.

This iconic summer attraction, held on the last Wednesday of August, draws participants from around the globe for a unique and messy celebration that has roots stretching back to 1945. The festival has evolved from a local scuffle into a globally recognized spectacle.

Approximately 20,000 people participated in this year's event, with trucks delivering up to 165 tonnes of overripe tomatoes to the eager crowd. For about an hour, the air was filled with flying tomatoes as participants, many clad in white, battled amidst blasting pop music. Authorities took precautions, covering buildings with tarps, and police were present, with reports of pepper spray being used at one point to manage the throng before festivities resumed.

The festival's popularity has seen a significant international contingent, with Spanish media noting that around 40 percent of recent participants are foreign tourists. This international appeal has been boosted by cultural phenomena, including a notable increase in visitors from India following the 2011 Bollywood film "Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara," which featured a scene from La Tomatina.

The origins of La Tomatina date back to a spontaneous food fight during a parade in 1945. The festival persisted through a ban during the Francisco Franco era, eventually gaining widespread recognition through television broadcasts. Today, it is a carefully managed event, with non-local attendees paying a fee to participate.

A key rule emphasizes safety: tomatoes must be squashed before being thrown to prevent injuries, though many attendees opt for protective gear like swimming goggles and earplugs. The chaotic but organized event culminates after an hour, signaled by a cannon blast, after which participants clean themselves off.

La Tomatina's success has inspired similar tomato-throwing events in various locations worldwide, including parts of the United States, Europe, and India, demonstrating the festival's global reach and appeal.

Despite the widespread revelry, the event also highlights the logistical challenges of managing such a large-scale, messy festival, including crowd control and preparation of the town's infrastructure.