Seven people, including an eight-year-old girl, have been killed after a rally car veered off the track and ploughed into the crowd in Sri Lanka.
The incident came during the Fox Hill Supercross race on Sunday in Diyatalawa, an army base town. Thousands of spectators had been watching the event, which sees drives race through the town, located about 110 miles east of the capital of Colombo.
The cause of the crash was not immediately clear, but police have launched an investigation. Four officials were killed, along with three others, with another 21 being treated in hospital, with three of them in a critical condition.
The race, which was organised by the Sri Lankan army and Sri Lanka Automobile Sports, was suspended after the accident. Police have arrested two drivers, though their condition remains unclear.
According to witnesses, the crash happened soon after another car had overturned on the track. Race officials had attempted to slow down the other cars by waving yellow lights, but one veered off course and crashed into spectators on the side of the unguarded track.
This was the first time the race has been held for five years due to pandemic restrictions and issues resulting from the country's economic crisis. Organisers had opened up the event to fans free of charge with around 100,000 people thought to be present.
Prior to the state time, organisers had opened up the event to spectators free of charge and claimed that about 100,000 people were present. After going to the hospital for examination, the Bandarawela Magistrate ordered two drivers to be remanded until the 30th of this month.
Police spokesperson Nihal Talduwa told BBC Sinhala: "This accident happened when the car that jumped out of the running lane collided with the officials who were working in the tournament and a group of spectators."
"There are about 20 people injured in the incident, three of them are in serious condition. Diyatalawa police have started an investigation regarding this accident."
The driver of one of the cars involved in the incident issued a statement before the acting magistrate arrived. He said: When the race started and about 300 metres away when I was going to overtake the car on the left, my car hit the back of that car and rolled over with all four tyres on top.
"At the same time, someone came from the other side and tried to get me out of the car. The door was locked. Even then, I could hear the race continuing. I felt that if something happened, the damage would increase.
"When I tried to get out from the other side of the car, I saw my helmet from the side and the two crashed cars were rolling. Perhaps something must have happened to those two vehicles some distance away."