Three people have been killed and dozens more injured after a monster truck lost control and ploughed into a crowd of spectators during a stunt show in Popayán, a city in the Cauca province of southern Colombia. The incident occurred on Sunday during an event featuring modified trucks and motorcycles, drawing a large audience before the tragedy unfolded.

Police believe a mechanical failure caused the driver to lose control of the vehicle. Footage of the incident shows the truck veering off course following a stunt, crashing through a safety barrier, and driving directly into a group of bystanders before coming to a halt after striking an electricity pole. Many spectators can be seen fleeing in the moments before impact. Popayán police commander Colonel Julián Castañeda confirmed that the vehicle appeared to accelerate without the driver being able to brake, adding that the driver himself is currently in stable condition. The truck was removed from the site the following morning.

Authorities confirmed at least 38 people were injured. Among the dead was a 10-year-old girl, who died at the scene, according to a city official cited by the Colombian newspaper El Espectador.

Local and regional officials were swift to respond. Popayán's mayor, Juan Carlos Muñoz Bravo, vowed a thorough investigation, stating that "these events, which should never have happened, will be clarified with total responsibility and transparency." The regional governor of Cauca, Octavio Guzmán, extended condolences to the families of those affected.

The incident raises serious questions about safety protocols at public motorsport events in the region. Monster truck and stunt shows attract large crowds in Colombia and across Latin America, but incidents like this highlight the risks posed when crowd barriers and vehicle maintenance standards are insufficient to prevent catastrophic failures. Investigators are expected to examine both the mechanical condition of the truck and the adequacy of safety arrangements at the event.