Several dozen victims, the terrible exit from the track during a car race in Sri Lanka

Around ten dead and injured in Sri Lanka after a racing car went off the track. SCREENSHOT – X (NEXTA_TV)

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, police said.

The vehicle hit the crowd on an unprotected section of the Fox Hill dirt circuit, maintained by the army, and located approximately 180 km from the Sri Lankan capital.

27 people hospitalized, 7 deaths

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.

"In total, 27 people were transported 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, the head of the army, Vikum Liyanage, announced that the doors of the circuit had been opened free of charge to spectators to promote motorsport, the latter event taking place for the first time in five years due to the Covid pandemic and the island's economic crisis.

"Today is a very special day… We decided to allow everyone to enter for free", declared Mr. Liyanage, affirming that around 100 000 spectators were present at the Fox Hill Circuit.