Police seek man who took selfie during running of the bulls
The Tour de France isn't the only international event with a selfie problem.
Spanish police say they are searching for a man who snapped a selfie during the running of the bulls in Pamplona, the Guardian reports.
The unidentified man was seen snapping a photo of himself with his phone during the tail end of Friday's run as two bulls were close behind.
Organizers of the 9-day San Fermín Festival recently prohibited unauthorized use of recording devices by participants — part of a crackdown on "daredevil" behavior. At least three people have been fined for unauthorized filming this year.
The selfie-taking man faces a fine of up $2,050 for the stunt, though he's already been punished via social media. A photo of Friday's incident quickly circulated with the hashtag #eltontolmóvil — or Spanish for "the idiot with the mobile."
Pamplona police seek man for "taking selfie" during bull run http://t.co/Eg8S6MpkcD#eltontolmóvil pic.twitter.com/y50Fbe3Lih
— Guardian World (@guardianworld) July 13, 2014
"One of the best examples of human stupidity I've ever seen," El Mundo's Jose Luis Vadillo wrote.
"Most dangerous selfie ever?" the International Business Times asked.
According to officials, there have been 15 deaths associated with the running of the bulls since 1900, with scores of others gored or trampled during the run. Among those injured this year: Bill Hillmann, co-author of “Fiesta: How to Survive the Bulls of Pamplona.”
While no bulls have complained about the self-snapping runners so far, riders at this year's Tour de France are furious over selfie-snapping spectators lining the 2,277-mile route.
During the tour's first week, American cyclist Tejay van Garderen blasted selfie-takers via Twitter.
"It’s a dangerous mix of vanity and stupidity," he wrote. “Standing in the middle of the road with your back turned while 200 cyclists come at you, just to take a selfie. #think."
It's easy to see why he's concerned. A quick scan of Twitter reveals plenty of seemingly distracted spectators, like these:
Nearly died talking #TDFselfie🚲💨 pic.twitter.com/xect1YjZIP
— zoe (@zodoyle) July 6, 2014
Selfie with Tour de France!! pic.twitter.com/JqpXHfheq5
— EveLouise! (@evelouisepurdy) July 6, 2014
People are taking selfies at the Tour de France that are actually pretty dangerous: http://t.co/vS1XzdgrCW pic.twitter.com/lyyKpOdX6Q
— Mashable (@mashable) July 8, 2014
Spend hours waiting on Holme Moss for Tour de France. Turn back when riders arrive to get a selfie. #brokenbritain pic.twitter.com/XBoHKI7Ywj
— Alexander Britton (@adbritton) July 6, 2014