France Opens Terror Probe Over Dakar Rally Blast In Saudi

The blast at Jeddah saw French driver Philippe Boutron need surgery for serious leg injuries before returning to France.

French prosecutors said Tuesday they have opened a terror probe over a December 30 blast in Saudi Arabia targeting a car participating in the Dakar rally that badly wounded its French driver.

"A preliminary investigation has been opened into multiple attempted killings in connection with a terrorist group," national anti-terror prosecutors said in a statement.

The statement added that all five occupants of the car including the driver were French.

It gave no further details over the blast in Jeddah, which saw driver Philippe Boutron need surgery in Saudi Arabia for serious leg injuries before returning to France.