Semtex “missing” from French security base

French anti-terrorist police are hunting thieves who stole nearly 30 kilos of explosives from a security services base near Lyon. The missing material is Semtex, a powerful plastic explosive which is very hard to detect. Detonators were also taken.

The discovery has only just come to light, although police believe the theft may have happened up to a week ago. The Interior Ministry in Paris said the Semtex was used for destroying old munitions, and blamed security failings for the theft. Police declined to confirm reports that the base had been left unguarded.

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