At least 30 people out of the 3,200 marathon runners, were rushed to the hospital in southwestern Japan after a swarm of bee attacked the participants on Sunday, rescue workers said.

According to local officials, they dispatched five ambulances during the race because of the incident.

Chief rescuer Tomomi Koyanagi said no one collapsed due to the bee stings, and added it was the first time they have experienced bees attacking runners.

He said, "Some people reported they saw a swarm of bees which looked like a black cloud."

Meanwhile, Thailand also experienced bee attacks which killed a Thai engineer while seven others were injured.