About 400 inhabitants of three villages in France's eastern region of Marne have been evacuated after a soldier threatened to blow up a site storing explosives. The Marne district says the Sergeant Major has locked himself up at the site, which mainly stores anti-tank mines. He is reported to be angry that he is coming up to retirement age and wants to continue his military career.
| Right. That's the way to continue your military career. Expect orders sometime next week for the Ivory Coast... |
"Given the risks to people in the surrounding area, the Marne prefect has decided to evacuate the inhabitants of Connantray-Vaurefroy, Lenharree and Normee," the district said in a statement. "This concerns about 400 inhabitants." Police have taken positions around the site. Dominique Dubois, a top official in Marne, says that the Sergeant Major had probably been at the site since Friday.
| The old cafard got to him, eh? |
No contact has yet been established with him. "The man wants his dossier to be re-examined because he will soon reach the age limit," he said. "He is 47 and on December 17 he will reach the age limit. He would like to pursue his military career." The retirement age for soldiers in France varies according to their job.
| I think he might be overdue. |
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