Friday, January 07, 2022
France worried after “accident”
Will a terrorist attack stop the Dakar Rally?
Before the start, a Dakar rally participant was seriously injured in an explosion outside a hotel in Jeddah. Host Saudi Arabia speaks of an “accident”. France doesn’t think so. More than a week later, the foreign minister spoke of a termination after a “possible terrorist attack”.
Cars sped through the dunes, motorbikes plowed through the sand, racing trucks thundered through the desert with a deep rumble. The normal madness of the Dakar Rally also took its usual spectacular course in the morning. Before the longed-for day of rest on Saturday of all times, however, worried tones from France’s highest government circles reached the bivouac.
France is apparently considering canceling the event – a possible terrorist attack worries the authorities. “We thought about whether it would be best to cancel this sporting event. The organizers have decided against it, but it must be proceeded extremely carefully,” said Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian in an interview with the TV broadcaster BFM: “There was possibly a terrorist attack against the Dakar. “
What is meant is an incident on December 30th: An explosion occurred on the vehicle of the Frenchman Philippe Boutron in the start and destination of Jeddah. The 61-year-old Boutron suffered serious injuries to his legs, was in a coma in the meantime, but has now woken up again and is at home. “He is badly injured. In the next few days we will know more,” said Benoit’s son to the French media: “The healing process will take time.”
Terror in the desert?
There are various hypotheses about the background. In France it is believed that a criminal offense has been committed, and the French public prosecutor’s office has launched anti-terrorism investigations. The Foreign Ministry tightened travel advice for Saudi Arabia, speaking of “security concerns” because of the explosion. Le Drian urged the organizer ASO, a French company, and host Saudi Arabia to be as transparent as possible. The Saudi authorities have so far classified the explosion as an “accident”.
The legendary desert race is only taking place for the third time in the Islamic-conservative monarchy. The race originally ran from Paris to Dakar in Senegal. In 2008 the event was canceled due to terrorist threats in North Africa. The Dakar was subsequently held in South America, then moved on to Saudi Arabia, where it will also take place in the coming years.
Unimpressed by the political concerns in distant France, the drivers tackled the sixth stage. In the dunes around Riyadh, the Argentinian Orlando Terranova (Prodrive) won after 421 kilometers. Nasser Al-Attiyah from Qatar expanded the overall lead. The three-time champion has a lead of 50:19 minutes over his Toyota brand colleague Yazeed Al Rajhi (Saudi Arabia). The end of the race is scheduled for January 14th.