Sri Lankan racing car crashes into crowd, killing 7 and injuring many others

Seven people were killed and 20 injured when a racing car veered off the track and crashed into a crowd of spectators and race officials during a race in Sri Lanka on Sunday, officials said.

The accident occurred during the game in the hills of Diyatalawa, a tea-growing center about 180 kilometers (110 miles) east of the capital Colombo, and was watched by thousands of spectators.

It’s unclear what caused the accident.

Police spokesman Nihal Thalduwa said one of the vehicles veered off the track and hit spectators and race officials. Seven people, including four officials, died and 20 others were being treated in hospital, Tardua said. He said three of the injured were in critical condition.

Tardua said police had launched an investigation into the accident, which was the 17th of 24 scheduled. After the accident, the game was suspended.

About 45,000 spectators gathered on the track at the Sri Lanka Military Academy. The event is organized by the Sri Lanka Army and Sri Lanka Motorsport.