Arsonists Paralyze Train Travel into Paris Ahead of Olympics Opening Ceremony
In the early hours of Friday, reports emerged of fires set by arsonists targeting critical signalling cables for France’s high-speed railway network, causing chaos for around 800,000 people traveling to Paris, including athletes heading to the Olympic Games’ opening ceremony. The attacks, which appeared to be coordinated and aimed at cutting off rail routes into the capital, paralyzed train services on three separate lines. The fires were remote, set far from Paris and focused on disrupting the TGV system.
The railway operator, SNCF, has since announced that repairs are underway, and security measures have been increased across the network in response to the sabotage. While there were no injuries reported, disruptions are expected to continue on certain lines. French government officials swiftly condemned the vandalism, with Minister Delegate for Transport, Patrice Vergriete, expressing concern for the impact on holiday travel and praising the efforts of SNCF to restore service.
Minister for Sport and the Olympic and Paralympic Games, Amélie Oudéa-Castéra, denounced the attacks, noting their impact on France and the games. Interior Minister Gérald Darmanin indicated that arrests were hoped for soon, while SNCF CEO Jean-Pierre Farandou stated that an investigation was ongoing to identify those responsible for the coordinated attack. Despite the disruptions, efforts are being made to restore normalcy as quickly as possible for passengers affected by the incident.
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