Asked to Retire, Soldier Holes Up in Arms Depot
A French soldier, angry about being forced to retire, holed up in an army depot with 60 tons of explosives and threatened to blow it up. About 400 residents were evacuated from nearby villages.
Explosives expert Regis Le Tohic, 46, seized the depot Saturday. He worked at the facility near Fere-Champenoise, east of Paris, officials said.
Under French law, a soldier holding Le Tohic’s rank of warrant officer must retire at age 47. Le Tohic turns 47 on Dec. 17. Authorities had failed to establish contact with him as of Sunday.
Start your day right
Sign up for Essential California for news, features and recommendations from the L.A. Times and beyond in your inbox six days a week.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.
