A female spectator was killed after a vehicle taking part in the gruelling Dakar Rally careered off the course and into a group of fans on Saturday, medical sources said.

A female spectator was killed after a 4x4 vehicle taking part in the Dakar Rally rushed off the course and crashed into a group of fans on Saturday, medical sources said.

The accident happened in the opening stage of the gruelling event between Buenos Aires and Cordoba, Argentina.

The accident was caused by a 4x4 vehicle driven by German-Swiss pair Mirco Schultis and Ulrich Leardi, resulting in a death adn aslo a number of hurts.

"Competitor number 418 collided with a group of spectators at the 75km mark of the special stage outside the public zone (a area reserved for spectators)," said a statement released by the organizers prior to the death confirmation.

The Dakar Rally, which was switched to South America last year because of increasing security concerns in its traditional African home, is widely-regarded as one of the most dangerous motorsports events in the world.

In the 2009 race, French motorcyclist Pascal Terry was killed while racing in the fourth stage.

More than 50 fatalities occured in the history of Dakar Rally, most of the victims are competitors.