French Rail Network Hit by Coordinated Arson Attacks Ahead of Paris Olympics

Paris July 26 2024 : France’s high-speed rail network has been severely disrupted by coordinated arson attacks, just hours before the Paris Olympics’ opening ceremony. The state-owned rail operator, SNCF, reported on Friday that these “malicious acts” have led to significant damage and service cancellations across several major lines.

According to SNCF, the attacks, described as “massive” and aimed at paralyzing the TGV network, affected its Atlantic, northern, and eastern routes. The rail operator disclosed that arsonists targeted facilities overnight, causing extensive damage that has led to substantial disruptions. Repairs are underway, but SNCF anticipates continued travel issues throughout the weekend.

“Several simultaneous acts of sabotage were perpetrated against our facilities,” an SNCF spokesperson told AFP. “This situation has severely impacted our ability to maintain normal service.”

Trains on the affected lines are being rerouted, though SNCF has warned that a significant number of services will be cancelled. The southeastern line remains operational after an attempted attack was thwarted.

With Paris under heightened security for the Olympics, which kicks off this evening, the timing of the attacks has amplified concerns. The opening ceremony will feature a parade of up to 7,500 athletes along a six-kilometer stretch of the river Seine, with a flotilla of 85 boats set to showcase the event.

The ceremony, taking place outside the traditional athletics stadium for the first time in Summer Olympic history, is being held amid France’s highest alert level for potential terror threats.

At Paris’s Montparnasse train station, passengers faced delays ranging from 30 minutes to nearly two hours. “Normal traffic is expected to resume on Monday, July 29,” read the departure hall signs.

Jocelyn, a 27-year-old student who arrived early in hopes of traveling to Bretagne, expressed frustration over the unexpected chaos. “We anticipated some disruption due to the opening ceremony, but we didn’t expect it to be this severe,” she said.