Arsonists caused significant disruption to France’s high-speed rail network by setting fires in pipes containing critical signaling cables early Friday morning. The attacks were targeted at remote locations away from the capital city of Paris and appeared to be coordinated efforts to sever rail connections into the city from various directions, affecting around 800,000 travelers, including athletes en route to the Olympic Games’ opening ceremony.
Blazes erupted near the tracks on three different lines before dawn, leading to extensive delays and cancellations. French authorities foiled another attempted arson in Vergigny, where rail agents scared off multiple suspects.
The motive behind the attacks was not immediately clear, and officials did not suggest a direct link to the Olympic Games. Prime Minister Gabriel Attal described the sabotage as deliberate and calculated, prompting the mobilization of intelligence services to identify the perpetrators.
SNCF’s CEO, Jean-Pierre Farandou, highlighted the intention to inflict severe harm on the French population, emphasizing that each fire strategically disrupted two rail lines. While Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo assured that the damage would not affect the opening ceremony, prosecutors in Paris launched a national investigation into the crimes, citing potential prison sentences of up to 20 years for those responsible.
Despite the disruptions, repair work commenced as authorities conducted forensic examinations at the crime scenes. Transport Minister Patrice Vergriete announced that train services began to resume in the afternoon following the attacks on the rail network.
The incident unfolded against a backdrop of heightened security measures amid global tensions surrounding the Games. French authorities have thwarted several potential disruptions to the Olympics, including arresting an individual suspected of planning to disrupt the event.
The disruption impacted train travel across Europe, with passengers facing delays and cancellations at major stations like Montparnasse and Gare du Nord. German athletes en route to the opening ceremony had to turn back due to the closures, underscoring the widespread ramifications of the attacks on the rail network.
