Lucky escapes on seventh day of San G

13 July 2007

MADRID -  Thousands ran alongside six fighting bulls through Pamplona's cobblestone streets Friday in the seventh running of the bulls of the San Fermin festival, and several people sustained bruises and other minor injuries.

Bulls and runners slipped and fell as they charged along the near kilometer-long (half-mile) winding route from a corral to the town's bullring. There were no gorings.

The run lasted two minutes and 42 seconds, an indication there were few complications.

There were no immediate details on the number of people injured. Spanish National Radio said several street ambulance services posted along the route did not have to tend to anyone.

On Thursday, bulls gored seven people and seriously injured six others in the festival's longest and most dangerous run yet. The perilous run was due to a stray bull that turned around and ran the wrong way.

The festival in this northern town, renowned for its all-night street parties, dates back to the late 16th century. It gained worldwide fame in Ernest Hemingway's 1926 novel ''The Sun Also Rises.'' The last of eight runs is scheduled for Saturday.

Since record-keeping began in 1924, 13 people have been killed during the runs, the most recent in 1995.

[Copyright AP with Expatica]

Subject: Spanish news