6 Killed, 16 Injured as Speeding Race Car Careers Off Track in Spain

Tragedy strikes La Coruña when a race car veered off track and ploughed through a crowd of spectators, of which six were instantly killed.

The current death toll is six, including a pregnant woman and an eight year old child, BBC reports. As told by Independent UK, it is reported that the number of casualties could rise.

According to the Daily Mail, confirmed casualties include four women and two men and 16 people injured -- who are being treated in the nearby La Coruña University Hospital.

El Pais newspaper reports, as per BBC, that more than 140 people attended the rally. Known for hosting 11 high-speed contests a year, the Escuderia La Coruña group, first held the event in 1982.

BBC noted that the horrific car accident happened Saturday evening at around 20:00 (18:00 GMT) near the town of Carral during the La Coruña Rally in north west Spain. As reported by the Daily Mail, onlookers have seen the "racing car fly off the dirt track and into the crowd as it attempted to take a bend at high-speed."

A spokesman for the Spanish police, according to the Independent UK, recounts to The Olive Press that the driver had been over speeding.

"One of the drivers took the track at a much higher speed than he should have, and he veered off a curve, slamming into around 20 people." The driver reportedly lost control of the race car after it turned into a bend.

The Daily Mail cited that there were no safety barriers between the audience and the track. The news agency furthers, as per the Spanish media, that the car (a Peugeot) was being driven by local man Sergio Tabeayo Sande and joined by co-pilot Luis Miguel Prego. BBC reported that the drivers were not among the injured.

Organizers immediately suspended the race after the catastrophe.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy, took to Twitter to express his condolences. "My heartfelt condolences for those killed. I wish the injured a full and speedy recovery."

Organizer Escuderia La Coruña uploaded an image of a black ribbon with the caption, "For the victims of the accident today in Carral" on their Facebook page in memory of those who lost their lives.

The authorities in Galicia are presently continuing the investigation.