A 39-year-old Irishman was hurt in Pamplona in Spain this morning as the bull-running festival got under way.

Three other men were gored during the 875m run through the northern Spanish city, the Red Cross said.

Emergency services said the Irishman was being treated in hospital with a thoracic injury, which they described as "less severe".

The Department of Foreign Affairs said it is aware of the incident and stands ready to provide consular assistance.

Two of those gored were from the United States, aged 29 and 35, while the other was a 46-year-old from Navarra in Spain.

The sprint, which typically attracts about 2,000 runners, lasts just under three minutes as participants dressed in white and wearing red neck scarves run from a dozen bulls.

The animals were from cattle breeder Cebada Gago in Andalucia, renowned for rearing dangerous bulls responsible for the most injuries in the history of the week-long San Fermin festival.