Sports Sri Lanka
Seven dead and 21 injured in car racing
As of: 9:33 p.m. | Reading time: 2 minutes
This car is said to be the vehicle involved in the accident
Quelle: AFP/-
For reasons that are still unclear, a devastating accident occurred during a car race in Sri Lanka. A car drove unrestrained into the crowd of spectators during a race organized by the military. It was obviously a series of unfortunate circumstances.
A tragedy occurred at a car race in Sri Lanka. A racing car left the track and plowed into the crowd. Seven people were killed, including an eight-year-old boy and four track helpers. Two of the victims succumbed to their injuries after being taken to the local military hospital.
Authorities said 21 people were injured, some seriously. Thousands of spectators watched the accident, which occurred during a race in the town of Diyatalawa in the central tea-growing regions, about 180 kilometers east of the capital Colombo.
Photos and videos show the horrific aftermath of the accident, while ambulances were rushed to the route to help the victims. People had desperately tried to provide first aid.
It was initially unclear what caused the accident. A video circulating on social media shows marshals waving yellow flags to warn other drivers after a car rolled over on the track. A car then drives into the crowd without braking.
Police launch investigation
According to police, one of the drivers crashed into the crowd on an unprotected section of the army-run racetrack. Police spokesman Nihal Thalduwa said three of the injured were in critical condition. Thalduwa said police had launched an investigation into the accident, which was the 17th of 24 planned events. Around 150 cars and 120 motorcycles were registered to take part in the day’s races. Riders from racing clubs across Sri Lanka and other parts of South Asia competed against each other over the weekend. The ill-fated race was stopped immediately after the accident.
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Tens of thousands of spectators had gathered at the race track in a Sri Lankan military academy. The event was organized by the Sri Lanka Army and Sri Lanka Automobile Sports. Shortly before the accident, army chief Vikum Liyanage is said to have declared entry to the event, which was taking place for the first time in five years, free of charge. According to him, around 100,000 spectators attended the major event at the Fox Hill racetrack; the police subsequently spoke of around 45,000 spectators.
