French rail network sabotaged before Olympics, affecting 800,000 people
“This is a massive attack on a large scale designed to paralyze the TGV network,” said the train operator SNCF to AFP. The sabotage has led to widespread disruption, with numerous routes expected to be canceled. The incident is particularly concerning as it occurs ahead of the upcoming Olympics, which could significantly impact travel and logistics. SNCF’s statement highlights the severity of the situation and the extensive measures needed to address the damage and restore normal operations. The attack has affected around 800,000 people.
Paris: France’s high-speed rail network suffered a significant disruption on Friday due to “malicious acts,” including arson attacks, which targeted the TGV system just hours before the opening ceremony of the Paris Olympics. The national train operator SNCF reported that these coordinated acts of sabotage severely impacted the rail network, affecting major lines and causing widespread delays and cancellations.
A source close to the investigation revealed that the attacks were deliberate acts of sabotage, intended to cripple the high-speed rail system. SNCF described the situation as a “massive attack on a large scale” aimed at paralyzing the TGV network. The attacks involved simultaneous acts of arson that damaged facilities across the Atlantic, northern, and eastern rail lines.
SNCF reported that the attacks had led to significant disruptions, with many train routes needing to be canceled. Traffic on the affected lines was “heavily disrupted,” and the situation is expected to continue throughout the weekend as repairs are undertaken. The severity of the attacks has forced SNCF to divert trains to different tracks, though a large number of trains will still have to be canceled.
Transport Minister Patrice Vergriete condemned the attacks as an “outrageous criminal act,” noting that they would have “very serious consequences” for rail traffic throughout the weekend. He highlighted that connections towards northern, eastern, and northwestern France would be halved, exacerbating the disruption for travelers. SNCF Chief Executive Jean-Pierre Farandou estimated that around 800,000 passengers were affected by the disruptions.
The southeastern rail line was not affected by the attacks, as a planned act of sabotage on that line was reportedly foiled. SNCF has advised passengers to postpone their trips and avoid train stations if possible, given the ongoing disruptions and repair work.
The timing of the attacks is particularly notable as they occurred just before the opening ceremony of the Summer Olympics in Paris. With the city under heavy security and approximately 300,000 spectators and numerous VIPs expected to attend the event, the sabotage adds an additional layer of challenge to an already high-security situation.
The opening ceremony on Friday evening is set to be a historic event, featuring a parade of up to 7,500 competitors traveling down a six-kilometer (four-mile) stretch of the River Seine on a flotilla of 85 boats. This will mark the first time a Summer Olympics has opened outside the main athletics stadium, a decision that carries risks, especially given France’s heightened alert status for potential terror attacks.
At Paris’s Montparnasse train station, passengers faced long delays, with waits extending from 30 minutes to nearly two hours. Many travelers were left uncertain about their departure times and destinations. One passenger, 27-year-old student Jocelyn, who had planned to travel to Bretagne, expressed frustration after being told that her departure could be delayed until Monday.
A sign in the departure hall of Montparnasse station indicated that normal traffic was expected to resume on Monday, July 29. The disruptions have prompted a considerable amount of frustration and inconvenience among passengers, many of whom had planned to travel to Paris for the Olympic events or other purposes.
The impact of these attacks extends beyond just the immediate disruption of rail services. They pose significant challenges to the smooth operation of the Olympics, potentially affecting the travel plans of spectators and participants. The heightened security measures and the logistical challenges posed by the sabotage underscore the complex environment in which the Olympics are being held.
As the situation develops, authorities will continue to assess the impact of the attacks and work on restoring normal rail services. The immediate focus will be on repairing the damaged infrastructure, managing the ongoing disruptions, and ensuring that the Olympic events proceed smoothly despite the challenges posed by the sabotage.
In summary, the sabotage of France’s high-speed rail network just before the Paris Olympics represents a severe disruption to the transportation system, affecting hundreds of thousands of passengers and complicating the logistics of the Games. The coordinated arson attacks have led to significant delays and cancellations, with normal rail traffic expected to resume only by the end of the weekend. The situation highlights the challenges faced by France in managing both security and operational issues in the lead-up to the Olympics.