Two men have been gored as they took part in the third day of Spain's annual bull-running festival.

A Japanese man of 23 was hospitalised after he was gored in the chest by one of the bulls during Saturday's event, the local government said on its website.

A 24-year-old Spanish man suffered "less serious" injuries after he was gored in the arm, it said.

The local hospital declined to comment on the Japanese man's condition, although the local Red Cross said he had been taken there in an ambulance.

A total of 12 others suffered minor injuries during Saturday's run in the Spanish city of Pamplona, officials said.

The four-minute run featured six bulls from the Jose Escolar ranch, one of which separated from the rest and caused panic among the runners.

Over the past century 15 people have died in the event, which dates back hundreds of years, according to a count on the unofficial San Fermin website.

The last death was recorded in 2009.