Pallade Veneta - Motor rally accident kills three spectators in France

The driver of the modified Peugeot 208 that hit the spectators and her 51-year-old woman co-driver were taken to hospital but without life-threatening injuries, prosecutors said.

Two men died at the scene and prosecutors later announced that a third man, airlifted to hospital, succumbed to his injuries.

The three killed were two brothers, aged 70 and 60, and a 44-year-old man, according to the public prosecutor's office, which opened an investigation.

Several people who witnessed the accident near the town of Ambert in central France were in shock, a local official told AFP.

In total, a dozen people were taken to a psychological support unit set up in the nearby village of Saint-Just.

The accident occurred around 11 am (0900 GMT) on Saturday.

"This is a tragedy for the world of racing," said Joel Mathurin, the local prefect, or top government official for the area.

Regional prosecutor Laure Moisset said the accident was "very violent".

In a short statement, the rally organisers said that the race was halted at 10:49 am. All spectators were asked to leave the scene and the event's award ceremony was cancelled.

Dozens of firefighters and police were dispatched to the scene.

The investigation was "in its early stages," the prosecutor said.

The Peugeot 208 car was to be examined.

The road where the accident took place, almost a straight line according to authorities, has been closed.

Prosecutors said they would have to determine whether the spectators were in an authorised area during the rally.

"I prefer to remain cautious," Moisset told reporters. "It is still a little too early to be precise," she added.

Organised since 1965, the motor rally attracted 167 teams for its 32nd edition.

In the rally held last year, a race marshal died.

G.Riotto--PV