On Friday, France's high-speed TGV rail network experienced significant disruptions due to multiple "malicious acts," including arson attacks. These incidents, described as "coordinated sabotage," targeted crucial rail lines connecting Paris with the western, northern, and eastern parts of the country, causing severe travel interruptions just hours before the opening ceremony of the Paris Olympics 2024.
The state-owned SNCF reported that fires had been deliberately set along these rail lines, leading to extensive damage and forcing the diversion and cancellation of numerous trains. This vandalism not only disrupted domestic travel but also affected international routes, including those between Paris and London via the Channel Tunnel, as well as connections to Belgium.
The SNCF's statement highlighted the scale of the attack, noting that it was intended to "paralyse the TGV network" and impact around 800,000 passengers. The company urged travelers to postpone their journeys and worked to restore service, with team members on-site overseeing repairs.
Transport Minister Patrice Vergriete condemned the attacks as "criminal incidents" but noted that there was no immediate indication linking them to the Olympics. Eurostar also reported significant disruptions to its services, with extended journey times and several cancellations as a result of the vandalism.
French police have launched an investigation into the attacks, while authorities continue to address the damage and restore normal operations.
