Traces of explosives found on Philippe Boutron's vehicle

Lexplosion of the Sodicars assistance vehicle, seriously injuring French driver Philippe Boutron, was indeed an attack. According to the findings of investigators from the DGSI and the national anti-terrorist prosecution, dispatched to Saudi Arabia, traces of explosives were found on the vehicle. According to information from our colleagues from RTL, confirmed by AFP, the use of an “improvised explosive device” is no longer in doubt.

On December 30, 2021, French driver Philippe Boutron, also president of the US Orléans football club, is at the wheel of a support vehicle for the Gironde team Sodicars. It was the victim of an explosion, seriously injuring its driver's legs. The five other occupants of the vehicle escaped unhurt. A few days later, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Jean-Yves le Drian had raised the possibility of simply canceling the Dakar Rally, without going any further.

The attack has still not been claimed.