Sabotage disrupts French high-speed rail hours before Olympics opening
Passengers gather around the departure boards at the Gare Montparnasse train station in Paris, France, July 26, 2024. (AFP)
Just hours before the highly anticipated opening ceremony of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, multiple acts of sabotage have targeted French high-speed rail lines, leading to significant disruptions for passengers.
The attacks, which occurred overnight, aimed at several key locations and resulted in damaged electrical cables, affecting approximately 1 million travelers over the weekend.
Widespread sabotage targets French railway network
The French national railway company, SNCF, reported that the sabotage involved several simultaneous acts on the LGV Atlantique, North, and East lines. The company revealed that deliberate fires were set to damage their facilities. Fortunately, the high-speed LGV Southeast line remained unaffected, with one act being successfully prevented.
In a statement posted on X, SNCF emphasized the seriousness of the situation: “The SNCF was victim overnight of several simultaneous malicious acts. Deliberate fires were started to damage our facilities. This is not just an attack on our train lines, but an attack on France itself.”
SNCF teams have been deployed to the affected areas to begin repair work immediately. However, the full extent of the damage is still being assessed. The company has warned that high-speed rail traffic on certain routes will be severely disrupted and has urged passengers to postpone their travel plans if possible.
The sabotage comes at a critical time as Paris prepares to host the opening ceremony of the Olympic Games on the River Seine.
French PM confirms coordinated sabotage
French Prime Minister Gabriel Attal confirmed today that the acts of sabotage were planned and coordinated, leading to severe consequences for the rail network. “Early this morning, acts of sabotage were carried out in a prepared and coordinated manner on SNCF installations. The consequences on the rail network are massive and serious,” he stated.
Expressing his gratitude, the prime minister said, “I express my sincere gratitude to our firefighters who intervened on the affected sites and to the SNCF agents who will carry out the necessary work to restore the network. I think of all the French people, all the families, who were preparing to go on vacation. I share their anger and salute their patience, their understanding, and the civic-mindedness they demonstrate.”
“Our intelligence services and law enforcement are mobilized to find and punish the perpetrators of these criminal acts,” Attal added.
Impact on Olympic attendees
With the opening ceremony drawing international attention, the sabotage poses a significant challenge for attendees traveling to Paris. The SNCF’s swift response and ongoing repair efforts aim to minimize the impact on the Olympic festivities. However, travelers are advised to stay updated on the latest travel advisories and plan accordingly.
