Tragic Car Rally Accident in La Réunion Claims a Child's Life and Injures Others

A tragic accident during a car rally in Saint-Joseph, La Réunion, on Sunday resulted in the death of a nine-year-old girl and left two other children critically injured. The incident occurred around midday when a rally car lost control and veered off the road, hitting a group of spectators gathered along the roadside in a restricted area. According to Olivier Clémençon, the public prosecutor of Saint-Pierre, the girl died at the scene, and two other minors, aged 6 and 12, are in critical condition. Additionally, a 35-year-old adult was also reported injured in the accident.

Eyewitnesses described chaotic scenes with panicked crowds and injured children, revealing the horror of the event. Emergency services and the gendarmerie responded rapidly on-site to provide aid. An investigation for involuntary manslaughter has been opened, with both the driver and co-driver tested for alcohol and drugs; preliminary results were negative.

The rally was immediately suspended following the tragedy. The organizers expressed their heartfelt condolences to the victims' families and the affected community. The area where the accident happened was designated off-limits to the public, but many spectators had nonetheless gathered there, contributing to the scale of the incident.

This devastating event has deeply impacted the local community in La Réunion, highlighting risks linked to spectator safety at motor racing events and prompting scrutiny from authorities as the investigation continues.