López faces sandstorm at Tunisian Rally: "I've never experienced an adventure like this"

SANTIAGO.- A major sandstorm that ravaged northern Africa early this morning forced the cancellation of the sixth leg of the Tunisian Rally, which consisted of a 308 kilometer stretch between the Libyan towns of Oubari and Sebha.

According to Francisco López, who spoke this morning via satellite telephone, the wind began to pick up at 3:00 AM and increased in strength until it was violently thrashing and blowing away tents, parts, equipment and even some motorcycles.

"I had never experienced an adventure like that; really intense. I was sleeping in the tent, I heard a lot of noise and I awoke frightened. People were running to put things behind the trucks and all of the drivers climbed into the containers", relayed López.

The Chilean race driver relayed that, after the storm, the camp was in total chaos: "The equipment was a complete mess, everything was flipped over, it was obvious that the second part of the race would be suspended", he stated.

López added that, with the wind, "it is impossible to navigate by satellite and the sand doesn't allow you to see the tracks; it is very dangerous to get lost in the dunes".

Following the cancellation of the sixth leg, participants hope to resume the seventh stage of the race tomorrow.