38 injured in Spain's San Fermin festival bull run

PanARMENIAN.Net - Thousands of daredevils fled bulls galloping through Pamplona's streets on Saturday, July 14 in the final bull run of Spain's San Fermin festival, AFP reports.

The latest injuries brought to 38 the total number of people taken to hospital at the eight bull runs of this year's alcohol-fuelled fiesta, including four men who were gored. Dozens of runners were treated for minor injures at the scene.

A 28-year-old Irish man and a 45-year-old Spaniard suffered head injuries in falls during Saturday's run, regional health authorities said.

Three men - two Britons and a U.S. citizen - were gored when a bull broke free from the pack during this year's third bull run and charged into a crowd of runners who were cowering by wooden barriers.

The two Britons, aged 20 and 29, remain in hospital.

A bull that becomes isolated from the rest of the pack is more dangerous because it can become disoriented and is more likely to charge.

Three years ago, a bull gored a 27-year-old Spaniard to death, piercing his neck, heart and lungs with its horns in front of hordes of tourists.

It was the 15th death at the Pamplona bull run since record keeping began in 1924.

The San Fermin festival, which dates from 1591, honors Pamplona's patron saint and features concerts, firework displays, folk dancing, round-the-clock drinking and religious processions, in addition to the daily bull runs.