Trains in Italy were delayed on Saturday after what authorities believe is another suspected act of sabotage on the country’s railway network during the 2026 Winter Olympics.

The disruptions happened on key routes, including services running between Naples and Rome, and trains heading north towards Florence. Passengers experienced delays of more than an hour as investigations began into the cause of the damage.

Officials discovered burnt cables on a section of the high-speed line connecting Rome and Naples. There were also reports of other possible acts of vandalism on track sections between the capital and Florence. These issues forced trains to slow down or wait, upsetting travel plans for many people during a busy period of the Games.

Transport Minister Matteo Salvini spoke out strongly against those suspected of causing the damage. He called the incidents “hateful criminal acts” that put workers and travellers at risk. Salvini urged people not to make excuses for such behaviour and warned that these acts could have serious consequences.

This is not the first time disruption has hit Italy’s railways during the Olympics. On the first full day of the Games, suspected sabotage near Bologna caused serious damage to parts of the rail system. That earlier incident affected high-speed, Intercity, and regional trains, causing delays of up to 2.5 hours for services.

An anarchist group later took responsibility for the earlier attack near Bologna, according to reports. That act damaged infrastructure and was seen as an attempt to disrupt transport during a major international event.

The latest sabotage claims come while Italy is hosting the Winter Olympics in Milan and Cortina d’Ampezzo from February 6 to 22. With millions of visitors expected for the international event, the smooth operation of transport services is very important. Any delays or problems caused by suspected sabotage have drawn criticism and concern from government officials.

Salvini also mentioned that similar problems had occurred on the rail network the previous Saturday, and another, less serious incident happened during the middle of the week. All of those incidents are being investigated to determine if they were deliberate.

Authorities are working with police and investigators to find out who is responsible and to prevent further disruptions. The goal is to protect rail infrastructure and ensure that passengers and Olympic visitors can travel safely and without interruption.

The delay of trains because of suspected sabotage highlights how critical infrastructure can be vulnerable during major world events like the Olympics. It also raises questions about security and how best to protect transportation systems when they are under the spotlight.

So far, the investigations are ongoing, and officials are trying to gather more information. Meanwhile, train schedules have largely resumed normal operations after the delays, but authorities remain alert.