Hornets attacked and injured participants in a fun run in Burgdorf near Hanover on Saturday. “The animals were probably startled by vibrations from the runners,” said a firefighter. Eight people were stung and four of them were taken to hospital. Some of those affected had an allergic reaction.

The fun run was canceled after the hornet attack. Firefighters located the animals’ nest in the afternoon and cordoned off the area. It was said that the nest was not known in advance. The fun run took place as part of a city festival.