BORDEAUX, Oct 14 — Four people died in western France late Saturday when a Tesla electric car unexpectedly caught fire, prompting an investigation into the incident.*

The crash occurred near Niort, claiming the lives of the driver and three passengers, all employees of a nearby restaurant in Melle. Preliminary reports indicate the vehicle struck several road signs at high speed, and the passengers were found dead when rescuers arrived.

Local authorities have opened an inquiry to determine the cause of the accident, which will include an examination of the vehicle. Tesla has faced scrutiny over safety issues in the past, including a recent settlement related to a fatal crash in California involving its autopilot feature. In December, the company recalled over two million vehicles in the U.S. and Canada due to potential collision risks associated with the software.