The special prologue was supposed to determine the running order ahead of Sunday’s official opener but it was instead suspended as Meiling — the first Chinese woman to compete in the race — veered off the road in her Mini Cooper and hit a group of spectators during the race between the Argentinean capital Buenos Aires and Rosario.
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Four helicopters, three medical vehicles and eight local ambulances were deployed to the scene, where 10 people — including a pregnant woman and four children — were treated for injuries.
Organizers did not disclose the nature of the injuries but said the “remainder of the trip to the Rosario bivouac will be considered a link section” after neutralizing the race.
Monday’s first stage of the 37th running of the Dakar Rally will take part between Rosario and Villa Carlos Paz.
