Seven killed as race car crashes into packed crowd in Sri Lanka

Seven people have been killed and there are fears the death toll could rise after a race car crashed in Sri Lanka on Sunday.

Between 50,000 and 100,000 fans were reportedly in attendance for the Fox Hill Supercross event in Diyatalawa hosted by the Sri Lankan army.

It was the first time the popular event had been held since being cancelled during COVID-19, with the gates thrown open to celebrate.

Stream Supercars and more motorsport action live and free on 7plus

Disaster struck in the 17th race out of 24 on the schedule when a car left the track and struck the crowd.

Fans had been watching a driver escape from his upside-down car following a separate crash when they were hit.

An eight-year-old girl and four race officials were among the seven killed, with two dying in hospital.

The car had landed on its side in the crash. Credit: EJ/AP
Fans who escaped unharmed carried the injured to find help. Credit: AAP

Twenty more people remain in hospital, according to police spokesman Nihal Thalduwa.

Three of the injured are critical, he added.

Thalduwa confirmed police are investigating the crash.

There are so far no clear indications on the cause beyond the car losing control and rolling into the crowd.

The event was abandoned following the accident.

FOLLOW US ON GOOGLE NEWS

Read original article here

Denial of responsibility! Chronicles Live is an automatic aggregator of the all world’s media. In each content, the hyperlink to the primary source is specified. All trademarks belong to their rightful owners, all materials to their authors. If you are the owner of the content and do not want us to publish your materials, please contact us by email – chronicleslive.com. The content will be deleted within 24 hours.

Leave a Comment