Dylan Bettencourt
Authorities in France have opened a case of possible terrorism following an explosion under a French vehicle which was competing in the Dakar Rally in Saudi Arabia.
The incident took place on Tuesday and left several passengers seriously injured with the vehicle containing five French nationals at the time, including driver Phillipe Bourton.
Boutron, who sustained severe leg injuries, was rushed back to France and has been placed in a medically induced coma in a hospital near Paris, his team said in a statement.
The blast ripped through the floor of the vehicle, causing it to catch fire, according to French newspaper L’Equipe.
Race director David Castera said the event will continue despite the attack and that he had requested that police presence along the route be increased.
“A preliminary investigation has been opened into multiple attempted killings in connection with a terrorist group,” national anti-terror prosecutors said in a statement on Tuesday.
The famous event, previously known as the Paris to Dakar Rally, used to start in the French capital and followed a route to the Senegalese capital of Dakar. However, security threats along the route meant that the route was moved to South America and in 2020 it was moved to Saudi Arabia.
Now known as just “Dakar” – the 2022 edition will end on 14 January.
Image source: @Autosport
