BERLIN: At least 22 people were injured in an explosion on Friday night in the paddock area of Germany’s famous Nuerbergring racing track, local police said on Saturday.
The blast, believed to have been caused by the detonation of a compressed air canister, has left one person with severe injuries, three others with serious injuries, and the remaining participants with minor injuries, German news agency dpa reported.
Emergency services responded, with several injured persons being airlifted to nearby hospitals. The incident occurred behind a pit in the paddock area during a test and setup session for the NLS4 race, which is part of the Nürburgring Langstrecken-Serie (NLS).
On Saturday, police remained at the scene to conduct a thorough investigation into the explosion’s cause. The initial findings suggest that a malfunction or mishandling of the compressed air canister may have triggered the blast, but authorities have yet to confirm the exact circumstances.
The Nürburgring circuit, located in the West German town of Nürburg, is one of the most famous racing tracks in the world, known for its challenging layout and historic significance. The explosion occurred during preparations for the NLS24 race, scheduled as part of the ongoing series.
Despite the incident, race organizers announced that the NLS24 race would proceed as planned, following consultations with all relevant parties. They emphasized that participation in the race would be voluntary for teams and drivers, considering the recent events.
