Several high-speed rail lines across France were disrupted overnight by acts of vandalism, including arson, according to the French National Railway Company (SNCF).
The attacks occurred just hours before the opening ceremony of the Summer Olympics in Paris, scheduled for Friday evening.
Extensive Disruption
The nocturnal attacks have severely impacted rail services. “This is a massive, large-scale attack aimed at paralyzing the TGV high-speed rail network,” SNCF told AFP. Trains were rerouted to alternative tracks, and numerous services had to be canceled. An unnamed source from AFP described the incidents as sabotage, noting that the attacks “were clearly coordinated.”
Ongoing Complications
SNCF warned that disruptions are expected to last throughout the weekend until necessary repairs can be completed. The company urged travelers to postpone their journeys and avoid railway stations during this period.
Targeted Lines
The vandals primarily targeted the Atlantic, Northern, and Eastern high-speed rail lines. Fortunately, the Southeastern line remained unaffected as the attempts to vandalize it were thwarted.
Timing and Impact
The timing of these attacks is particularly significant as they came just hours before the opening ceremony of the Summer Olympics in Paris. The ceremony, taking place on Friday evening, is set to host 7,500 athletes and 300,000 spectators.
The disruption has added considerable strain to the transportation network at a critical time, highlighting the need for heightened security measures and rapid response efforts to restore normal operations.
