Three spectators have died after a rally car veered off the road during an event in central France on Saturday. The victims, two brothers aged 70 and 60, and a 44-year-old man, were struck near the town of Ambert at around 11am.
The driver, a 22-year-old woman, and her 51-year-old female co-driver were taken to hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. The car, a modified Peugeot 208, crashed in what authorities described as a “very violent” impact.
Prosecutors have opened an investigation into involuntary manslaughter. Regional prosecutor Laure Moisset said it was too early to determine whether the victims were in a restricted area, though the prefect initially stated they were in a zone marked by red tape, while public areas were marked with green tape.
Nine people were taken to a psychological support unit after witnessing the crash. The rally was halted at 10.49am, spectators were evacuated, and the award ceremony was cancelled. The road, described as almost a straight line, has been closed.
Jöel Mathurin, a government official for Puy-de-Dôme, called it “a tragedy for the world of racing.” The investigation remains in its early stages.
