22-4-2024 (COLOMBO) Tragedy struck at a race track in Sri Lanka on Sunday when a racing car veered off course, ploughing into a crowd of spectators and race officials. The devastating incident resulted in the loss of seven lives and left 20 others injured, according to officials.
The harrowing scene unfolded during a race in the town of Diyatalawa, nestled in the picturesque central hills renowned for tea cultivation, approximately 180 kilometers (110 miles) east of the capital, Colombo. Thousands of spectators were in attendance to witness the competition.
Authorities have yet to determine the exact cause of the accident.
Child Among Seven Dead After Sri Lanka Racing Car Tragedy
A rally car lost control while trying to avoid an overturned car and crashed into a crowd of spectators at the Fox Hill Supercross Motorsport event in Diyathalawa, Central Sri Lanka.
The young girl succumbed to the… pic.twitter.com/Nuc5X1hECM
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Police spokesman Nihal Thalduwa disclosed that one of the racing cars veered off the track, careening into the gathered spectators and officials. The impact claimed the lives of seven individuals, including four event officials, while another 20 sustained injuries and were rushed to a nearby hospital. Thalduwa further revealed that three of the injured individuals were in critical condition.
In response to the tragic incident, law enforcement has initiated an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the accident, which occurred during the 17th race out of 24 scheduled events. Following the incident, the race was immediately suspended.
The race circuit, situated at a Sri Lankan military academy, had drawn an estimated 45,000 spectators. The event was jointly organized by the Sri Lankan army and Sri Lanka Automobile Sports.
