French high speed rail network sabotaged hours before Paris Olympics opening ceremony
- In Reports
- 08:31 PM, Jul 26, 2024
- Myind Staff
On July 26th, France's high-speed rail network was severely disrupted by "malicious acts," including arson attacks, according to train operator SNCF. These incidents occurred just hours before the opening ceremony of the Paris Olympics. A source close to the investigation informed AFP that the attacks were coordinated acts of "sabotage."
SNCF described the situation as a "massive attack on a large scale" aimed at paralysing the TGV network. The company also indicated that many train routes would need to be cancelled as a result.
"SNCF was the victim of several simultaneous malicious acts overnight," the national train operator reported. The attacks, which affected the Atlantic, northern, and eastern lines, involved arson intended to damage the rail facilities. SNCF noted that traffic on these lines was "heavily disrupted" and warned that the situation would persist through the weekend as repairs are undertaken.
Transport Minister Patrice Vergriete condemned the "massive attack" on France's high-speed TGV rail network as an "outrageous criminal act" just hours before the opening ceremony of the Paris Olympics.
Transport Minister Patrice Vergriete warned of "very serious consequences" for rail traffic throughout the weekend, with connections to northern, eastern, and northwestern France being reduced by half. SNCF chief executive Jean-Pierre Farandou reported that approximately 800,000 passengers were affected by the disruptions.
Trains were being redirected to alternate tracks, but SNCF indicated that a significant number of trains would need to be cancelled. The southeastern line remained unaffected as a "malicious act was foiled." SNCF advised passengers to postpone their trips and avoid train stations due to the ongoing disruptions.
The attacks occurred as Paris was under heightened security in anticipation of the Summer Olympics opening ceremony, with 300,000 spectators and numerous VIPs expected to attend. On Friday evening, the parade will feature up to 7,500 competitors travelling along 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 made amid concerns about security risks, as France remains on high alert for potential terror attacks.
At Paris's Montparnasse train station, dozens of passengers were left waiting for updates on their journeys following delays ranging from 30 minutes to nearly two hours. A sign in the departure hall indicated, "Normal traffic is expected to resume on Monday, July 29."
Jocelyn, a 27-year-old student who had planned to travel to Bretagne and preferred not to give her full name, expressed her frustration: "We arrived around 7:00 am but were informed that we might not be able to leave before Monday." She added, "We anticipated some chaos in Paris with the opening ceremony tonight, but we didn’t expect it to be this severe."
Image source: News18
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