About 400 inhabitants of three villages in France's eastern region of Marne were evacuated today after a soldier threatened to blow up a site storing explosives.
The Marne district said today the sergeant major had locked himself up at the site, which mainly stores anti-tank mines.
He was reported to be angry that he was coming up to retirement age and wanted to continue his military career. "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." It added traffic had been rerouted. Police had also taken positions around the site. Dominique Dubois, top official in Marne, told France Info radio that the sergeant major had probably been at the site since Friday. No contact had yet been established with him.
"The man wants his dossier to be re-examined because he will soon reach the age limit. He is 47 and on December 17th he will reach the age limit. He would like to pursue his military career," he said. The retirement age for soldiers in France varies according to their job.