Dakar-2022: for Jean-Yves Le Drian, the question of stopping the race “arises” after the explosion against u – Franceinfo

Should we stop the Dakar-2022 after the explosion of a vehicle? For the Minister of Foreign Affairs, the question “stay put”. “On the Dakar, it may be a terrorist attack. We thought, perhaps, that it was worth giving up on this sporting event, the organizers decided to maintain”, said Jean-Yves Le Drian on BFMTV / RMC Friday January 7. The French national anti-terrorism prosecution opened an investigation on Tuesday, January 4.

On December 30, a car from the Sodicars team exploded, 500 meters after leaving the hotel where the crew had spent the night. The vehicle was heading to the stadium where the checks of the cars participating in the race took place.

Thierry Richard, 57, who drives for the same team and was in the vehicle, spoke of “war scenes”. According to the Bordeaux resident, six people were on board, including him in the passenger seat. He told AFP he was lifted by the blast, adding that his legs hit the dashboard and the car caught fire. The driver, veteran pilot Philippe Boutron, 61, sustained serious injuries to his legs.