Images posted on social media showed one of the victims bleeding on the ground, witnesses screaming in horror and a head-on collision which left wreckage strewn across the road, in an incident that many at first feared was an act of terrorism.

Police sources cited in local media said it appeared to result from a fight between two groups during a champagne party in the Ocean Club, which led to some of the men being expelled from the venue at around 9pm local time.

The fight allegedly continued in the street outside before the two British men went to the car park and got into the Audi. The car then entered a pedestrian area and knocked down three people.

Police said both of those arrested had tested positive for drugs, one for cocaine and one for cannabis. Alcohol was also detected in both cases, at a level slightly over the legal limit.