COLOMBO, Sri Lanka (AP) — A race car veered off the track during a competition in Sri Lanka on Sunday and rammed into a crowd of spectators and race officials, killing seven people and injuring 20 others, officials said.
Thousands of spectators looked on as the mishap took place during a race in the town of Diyatalawa in the tea-growing central hills, about 180 kilometers (110 miles) east of the capital Colombo.
It wasn’t immediately clear what caused the mishap.
Police spokesman Nihal Thalduwa said one of the cars veered off the track and crashed into spectators and officials of the event. Seven people, including four officials, were killed and another 20 were being treated at a hospital, said Thalduwa. He said three of the injured were in critical condition.
Thalduwa said police have launched an investigation into the accident, which was the 17th out of 24 events scheduled. The race was suspended after the accident.
About 45,000 spectators had gathered at the race circuit at a Sri Lankan military academy. The event was organized by the Sri Lankan army and Sri Lanka Automobile Sports.
Garcia, Winker go deep as Nats end slide, beat struggling Twins 12
China opposes U.S. deployment of intermediate
Commentary: Money rules in American elections
Desert county in NW China's Xinjiang experiences bountiful cistanche harvest
French Olympic fencer Thibus says she has been cleared of any wrongdoing after abnormal doping test
Commentary: Recovery momentum of Chinese economy strengthened
China urges U.S., Japan, Philippines to stop undermining regional peace, stability
Madeleine McCann suspect to face trial on separate sex assault charges
US defender John Brooks to leave German club Hoffenheim
Commentary: Washington's overcapacity charges misleading
French Olympic fencer Thibus says she has been cleared of any wrongdoing after abnormal doping test
New Zealand rugby legends inducted into Pasifika Hall of Fame