Two men died and twelve were injured during the fourth bull run of this year´s Virgin Girl festival in the town of Ampuero (Cantabria). It was the first time four year old bulls weighing between 500 and 520kg had been allowed to participate, and resulted in, what one eye-witness described as, "carnage." The event, which lasted 25 minutes, was especially dangerous as all five bulls and five oxen were released into the streets in just three lots.

Once the number of casualties was confirmed flags at the Town Hall were lowered to half mast, and the lady mayoress, Nieves Abascal, called off the rest of the day´s celebrations as a mark of respect for those who had lost their lives saying that it was a "black day" for the town, one which "Ampuero will need a long time to recover from." Ms Abascal added that all safety procedures had been complied with, and there had been an inspection immediately prior to the release of the first bull to make sure safety barriers were secure, and women and child were safely out of harm´s way.

48 year old Raimundo Hernando from Lejona (Vizcaya) was gored in the neck severing his jugular artery and died a short time later in Laredo Hospital of a heart attack brought on by blood loss. A few hours later 47 year old Daniel Torres Santiesteban from Rasines died on the operating table as surgeons were trying to repair damage caused by a severe abdominal horn wound.

One of the twelve other casualties has been allowed home, seven with cuts and bruises remain in Laredo Hospital while four others, who were all gored, have been transferred to Valdecilla´s Marqués Hospital. The condition of three of the men remains serious, and three others are very poorly.