A tragic rally car accident in northwest Hungary on Sunday, March 24, 2024 led to four fatalities and left eight others injured.
The accident occurred during the Esztergom-Nyerges rally when a vehicle veered off the road and into a spectator area. Footage shared on social media platforms shows the car sliding off the route and crashing into the crowd, creating dusty chaos.
According to the Komarom-Esztergom County police department, the accident took place on a competition route between the towns of Labatlan and Bajot, situated adjacent to the Danube River.
An eyewitness report indicates that the Skoda Fabia R5 car was speeding from Lábatlan when it lost control just before the speed-reducing zone. The car then hit nearby spectators and proceeded to crash into the fence of a construction company’s property, located nearly 20 feet from the road.
It is yet unclear whether the spectators were in a restricted area. Kata Répásy, the event’s press officer, stated that each rally stage has specific zones that are prohibited to spectators and routinely patrolled. Répásy noted that the event, marking the start of the season, may have attracted a larger-than-usual crowd—possibly over a thousand people—though this figure is not officially confirmed. She highlighted the challenges of monitoring everyone’s location during such a large event.
Emergency services, including eight ambulances and four helicopters, were dispatched to the scene. Among the injured were two individuals, including a child, who suffered serious injuries, while six others, including another child, received treatment for less severe injuries.
The Komarom-Esztergom County police are currently investigating the cause of the accident. The race was immediately suspended following the crash, with bystanders and event organizers assisting the injured until professional medical help arrived.
The incident has prompted conversations within the rally racing community about the effectiveness of safety measures during such events. The ongoing investigation aims to uncover the circumstances leading to the accident, with the goal of avoiding similar accidents in the future.
The names of the deceased and injured have not been released.
The Hungarian National Motorsport Association has extended its condolences to the families of the victims and is working with officials to investigate the details of the accident. The association has refrained from making any statements until the investigation concludes.
