(Colombo) At least seven people were killed and 21 others injured when a car rammed into spectators during a busy car race organized by the Sri Lankan army east of Colombo on Sunday, the police said. police.
The vehicle crashed into the crowd on an unprotected section of the army-maintained dirt track at Fox Hill, located about 180 kilometers from the Sri Lankan capital.
A video widely shared on social media shows track marshals waving yellow flags to warn drivers to slow down after a car overturned on the track.
We then see several cars passing at high speed in clouds of orange dust, until a red car crashes into the crowd and we hear people screaming.
“A total of 27 people were taken to hospital, seven of whom died from their injuries,” said Nihal Thalduwa, a police spokesperson, adding that an eight-year-old girl was among the dead.
Shortly before the accident, army chief Vikum Liyanage announced that the gates of the circuit had been opened free of charge to spectators to promote motorsport, with the event taking place for the first time in five years due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the island’s economic crisis.
“Today is a very special day… We have decided to allow everyone to enter for free,” Mr. Liyanage said, claiming that around 100,000 spectators were present at the Fox Hill circuit.