According to foreign media reports, the French National Anti-Terrorism Prosecutor's Office has recently launched a counter-terrorism investigation into the car explosion that occurred in the Dakar Rally.

This event, which has been accompanied by death since its inception, has added another layer of horror this year.

Social media screenshots.

　　According to reports, the explosion occurred one day before the start of the 2022 Dakar Rally. An auxiliary car of the French team exploded, causing a French driver to suffer serious calf injuries. He was then sent back to France for surgery.

　　According to media reports, another driver in the car thought it was a terrorist attack.

The Saudi authorities stated on the 1st that it was a crime to rule out the explosion, and that it was just an accident.

　　But now, the French National Anti-Terrorism Prosecutor's Office has launched an anti-terrorism investigation, making the truth of the whole incident once again confusing.

　　This happened before the start of the race, once again making the audience sweat for the safety of this year's Dakar Rally-this 43-year-old race seems to be combined with the word danger.

Data map: Dakar Rally, a racing car set off billowing dust.

Bernat Armangue

　　In 1979, the Dakar Rally was formally established. Since then, more and more people who love the pursuit of excitement have added a yearning event in their hearts.

The complex and primitive terrain and free-spirited driving style have made the Dakar Rally famous.

But at the same time, it also brought surprises.

　　In 2016, according to media statistics, the average number of deaths caused by the Dakar Rally each year was close to two.

Although science and technology are becoming more and more advanced, accidents still continue.

　　The difficult track environment makes drivers prone to serious accidents.

For example, in the 2021 race, the No. 111 motorcyclist-Frenchman Pierre Cerpin crashed in the 7th stage of the race. He was in a coma when the rescue helicopter arrived.

Data map: The 2019 Dakar Rally entered the second stage. The players galloped in the endless sea of ​​sand, enjoying the passion and "loneliness" of the competition.

Image source: Osports All Sports Photo Agency

　　Since then, Pierre Cerpin underwent neurosurgery, but the rescue for many days did not save his life.

In the end, he unfortunately passed away while transferring from Jeddah, Saudi Arabia to France for treatment.

　　In past accidents, it was not only the drivers who were dangerous, but also the spectators on the track.

　　Unlike the familiar F1 races where the spectators are strictly separated, in some stages of the Dakar Rally, spectators can watch the race from close range.

Reporters who participated in the report once described that in some stages, the audience could even touch the car body when the car was turning.

　　This way of watching the game allows the audience to have a more immersive experience, but it is also more likely to be affected by accidents.

In the 2016 race, Chinese driver Guo Meiling drove off the track and injured more than ten people.

And shortly after, in the seventh stage, another driver rushed out of the track and killed a spectator.

Data map: The first day of the 2019 Dakar Rally was held in Peru. This event is the first time the Dakar Rally has been held in a single country.

Photo by FRANCK FIFE

　　The danger comes not only from the speed, but also from the track environment.

The desert stage of the Dakar Rally is one of its characteristics, but it also brings endless problems for the drivers.

Sometimes the game is no longer a "match", but a test of survival.

　　In the third stage of the 2015 Dakar Rally, the Polish driver Hernnik of the motorcycle group suddenly stopped sending the signal. The organizing committee urgently mobilized a helicopter to look for it, and finally found that the 39-year-old driver was lying down. 300 meters away from the race track.

He didn't wear a helmet, and there were no signs of a crash on his body.

　　The doctor confirmed his death.

After an autopsy, it was officially confirmed that Hernenick had died of heatstroke and dehydration.

Data map: In 2019 Dakar Rally, participating motorcyclists crossed the desert.

　　Why is such a dangerous race that can run for decades and has attracted countless drivers?

Perhaps for those drivers, the satisfaction of challenging themselves is higher than the fear of potential danger. This is also the mentality of many extreme sports participants.

　　This year's Dakar Rally officially started on January 1 and will end on the 14th. The entire event will be held in Saudi Arabia.

A new challenge is placed in front of the drivers, perhaps as spectators, all they can do is to wish them a safe reach to the finish line.