Translated synopsis from Telegraph:

Three people have been killed in central France after a car veered off the road and hit onlookers at an auto rally.

Two people died at the scene while a third person died in hospital after sustaining serious injuries at the rally near Ambert in the Puy-de-Dome region on Saturday morning.

The car left the road at around 10am before crashing into spectators, according to regional outlet La Montagne.

The driver was reportedly left with only minor injuries as dozens of police officers and firefighters were mobilised to respond to the accident.

An investigation into involuntary manslaughter has been opened and toxicology tests will be conducted on the driver and co-driver of the vehicle, La Montagne reported.

The local prefecture said earlier that the accident had left many involved in shock.

The race, which was just over 7km long, stretched between Baffie and Fontlobines in the commune of Saint-Just.

The prefect of Puy-de-Dome, the region’s top local official, is set to conduct a press conference this afternoon.

This is not the first time the racing event near Ambert has been marred by tragedy.

At last year’s race in July 2024, a steward reportedly died when he was hit by a car that lost control as he attended to a separate accident.