Six people have been killed and sixteen others injured after a racing car flew off the track and crashed into spectators during a high-speed rally in Spain.

Two pregnant women and an eight-year-old child have both been confirmed amongst the fatalities, with six of those wounded in hospital with serious injuries.

The victims were struck by the vehicle when its driver lost control after negotiating a bend during the La Coruña‬ Rally, in the Spanish municipality of Carral in the north west of the country.

Scroll down for video

They were struck by the vehicle when its driver lost control during the La Coruña‬ Rally, in the Spanish municipality of Carral in the north west of the country

Two pregnant women and an eight-year-old child have both been confirmed amongst the fatalities, with six of those wounded in hospital with serious injuries

The horrific accident happened at around 8pm local time this evening as thousands watched on from the side of the road.

Witnesses described seeing the racing car fly off the dirt track and into the crowd as it attempted to take a bend at high-speed.

The car - a Peugeot 206 with the number 39 on its door - is believed to have smashed through a group of around 20 spectators.

There were no safety barriers in place to separate the spectators and the track.

Spanish media reports that it was being driven by local man Sergio Tabeayo Sande, nicknamed Tisi, who was in the car with co-pilot Luis Miguel Prego.

Organisers immediately suspended the race - in which more than 100 participants were competing - in the wake of the incident.

Among the casualties confirmed so far are four women and two men, one of whom was a child aged eight.

Three of the dead are thought to be from Cambre, near to the scene of the tragedy, with one of the pregnant women said to have been killed understood to be nine months pregnant.

Her partner was also reported to have died.

With hundreds of spectators lining the track, the car can be seen losing control as it negotiates a bend

It then veers heavily to the right, ploughing through a gathering of fans in a group believed to be of around 20 people

The race car then grinds to a halt as horrified spectators rush to the aid of those injured in the collision

Spanish Police have warned that the death toll is expected to rise.

At least 16 people were injured and are being treated in the nearby La Coruña‬ University Hospital Complex.

They include four children, a police spokeswoman confirmed.

The cause of the accident is being investigated, with police and ambulance services still at the scene supporting the victims and their families.

Fans attending the race shared news of the horror on Twitter.

The reasons for the accident are being investigated, with police and ambulance services still at the scene supporting victims and their families

Bodies of those killed can be seen lying alongside the racing track that the Peugeot 206 veered away from

The La Coruña‬ Rally takes place in the Spanish municipality of Carral, located in the north west of the country

Monica Carrillo tweeted: 'Two dead and several injured in a rally in Coruña‬ in the last minute.'

Another witness suggested that 'there may be two dead and a dozen injured.'

Eyewitnesses told Spain's Ideal news site the scene was 'chaotic'.

The race was organised by the Escuderia La Coruña‬ group, who host 11 high-speed contests a year.

Their inaugural event was held in 1982.

Escuderia La Coruña‬ tonight uploaded an image of a black ribbon to their Facebook page in honour of those who lost their lives in today's crash

Escuderia La Coruña‬ tonight uploaded an image of a black ribbon to their Facebook page in honour of those who lost their lives in today's crash.

Alongside it, they wrote: 'For the victims of the accident today in Carral.'

The Toyota Breogán racing team, who were taking part in the race, also paid their own tribute.