The regional event, part of the French Rally Cup, got off to a devastating start when a driver lost control of their Peugeot 208 R2 and veered off the road, hitting multiple spectators gathered nearby.
The crash occurred in the village of Le Cros, located in the Puy-de-Dôme department of central France. Two people died, and another spectator was left in critical condition and taken to hospital.
According to the local newspaper La Montagne, the incident involved a total of 12 people. The driver of the rally car was also taken to hospital in the town of Ambert.
Reports indicate that the spectators involved had been standing behind red tape, which marked a prohibited viewing area. However, authorities are now thoroughly investigating the circumstances and causes that led to the serious accident.
The rally was suspended entirely shortly after the incident.
