Three young adults, all in their early twenties, lost their lives when a rented Porsche 911 crashed into an olive tree and burst into flames on a rural road in southern Italy.

The accident occurred on the evening of 3rd May on the provincial road connecting the town of Torchiarolo to the seaside locality of Lendinuso, in the province of Brindisi.

The victims were identified as Luigi Perruccio, 22, Sara Capilunga, 21, and Karina Ryzkhov, also 21.

All three were residents of Torchiarolo.

Karina Ryzkhova, 21, poses in undated photo. She and two friends died in a high-speed crash in Torchiarolo, Italy, on 3 May 2025. Note: Picture taken from social media. (Newsflash/NX)

Luigi was employed at his father's agricultural company.

Sara was undertaking an internship at a window frame manufacturing firm.

Karina, originally from Ukraine, had been living with an adoptive family in Torchiarolo since the onset of the war in her homeland.

The Porsche 911, reportedly rented by a friend a few days prior, was being driven back from the coast when it veered off the road and collided with a centuries-old olive tree.

The impact caused the vehicle to overturn and ignite, trapping the occupants inside.

Emergency services responded promptly, but all three individuals were declared dead at the scene.

Sara Capilunga, 21, poses in undated photo. She and two friends died in a high-speed crash in Torchiarolo, Italy, on 3 May 2025. Note: Picture taken from social media. (Newsflash/NX)

Karina's adoptive father received a distress alert on his mobile phone and, using GPS tracking, arrived at the crash site, where he witnessed the burning wreckage containing his daughter.

He suffered a medical episode upon arrival and required assistance from paramedics.

Investigations are ongoing to determine the cause of the accident.

Authorities are examining factors such as vehicle condition, speed, and potential obstacles on the road.

Preliminary reports suggest the car may have been travelling at speeds exceeding 250 km/h (155 mph) at the time of the crash.

The incident has deeply affected the local community.

Torchiarolo's mayor, Elio Ciccarese, and numerous residents gathered at the crash site to pay their respects.

A moment of silence was led by Don Antonio De Nanni, parish priest of the Church of the Assumption of Mary.

(MJ Leidig/newsX)