France begins terrorism probe into Saudi Arabia blast ahead of Dakar Rally

French prosecutors have opened a terrorism investigation into an explosion in Saudi Arabia that injured a French driver ahead of the Dakar Rally.

The blast hit a support vehicle belonging to the French team Sodicars soon after it left its Jeddah hotel for the race route, injuring driver Philippe Boutron, Reuters reported, citing accounts from the team and race organizers.

A spokesperson for France's national anti-terror prosecutor's office confirmed to CNN that they have opened an investigation into an attempted assassination "related to a terrorist enterprise."