France’s high-speed rail network was severely disrupted by coordinated acts of sabotage, including arson, according to train operator SNCF. This disruption occurred just hours before the Paris Olympics’ opening ceremony.
A source familiar with the investigation revealed to AFP that the sabotage was a large-scale attack aimed at paralyzing the TGV network. SNCF reported that several routes had to be canceled due to these attacks, which impacted its Atlantic, northern, and eastern lines.
The attacks were described as an “outrageous criminal act” by Transport Minister Patrice Vergriete, who also warned of “very serious consequences” for rail traffic over the weekend, with connections to northern, eastern, and northwestern France being significantly reduced. SNCF’s CEO, Jean-Pierre Farandou, stated that approximately 800,000 passengers had been affected by the disruptions.
While many trains were redirected to alternative tracks, numerous services had to be canceled. Fortunately, the southeastern line was unaffected because a planned attack was thwarted.
Passengers were advised to postpone their trips and avoid train stations. There was no immediate claim of responsibility for the attacks. However, initial suspicions point to hardline leftist militants or environmental activists.
The attacks coincided with heightened security in Paris for the opening ceremony of the Summer Olympics, which is set to take place along a six-kilometer stretch of the Seine with 7,500 athletes parading on a flotilla of 85 boats. This is the first time a Summer Olympics has been inaugurated outside the main athletics stadium, a decision that adds to the security concerns in France, which is currently on high alert for potential terror threats.
At Montparnasse train station in Paris, passengers faced delays ranging from 30 minutes to two hours while awaiting updates on their travel plans. One sign in the departure hall indicated that normal service was expected to resume by Monday, July 29th.
