The high-speed rail network in France was severely disrupted by coordinated arson attacks just hours before the opening ceremony of the Paris Olympics, train operator SNCF announced on Friday.
The “malicious acts”, described as sabotage by investigators, have paralyzed several key routes of the TGV network, causing significant travel disruptions.
“This is a massive attack on a large scale to paralyse the TGV network,” SNCF told AFP, indicating that many routes would have to be cancelled. The attacks specifically targeted the Atlantic, northern, and eastern lines, with arson causing extensive damage to the facilities. As a result, rail traffic on these lines has been heavily disrupted and is expected to remain so through the weekend as repairs are undertaken.
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Transport Minister Patrice Vergriete condemned the “outrageous criminal act,” highlighting the severe impact on rail traffic, particularly with the Paris Olympics set to commence.
“There would be very serious consequences for rail traffic throughout the weekend,” Vergriete stated, noting that connections towards northern, eastern, and northwestern France would be halved. SNCF chief executive Jean-Pierre Farandou added that 800,000 passengers were affected, with many trains being diverted or canceled.
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The southeastern line was not impacted as a “malicious act was foiled,” according to the SNCF. Passengers were urged to postpone their trips and avoid train stations due to the disruptions.
Olympics Under Heavy Security
The attacks coincided with heightened security measures in Paris ahead of the Summer Olympics’ opening ceremony. With 300,000 spectators and numerous VIPs expected, the city was on high alert for potential threats. The opening parade, featuring up to 7,500 competitors traveling down a six-kilometer stretch of the river Seine on a flotilla of 85 boats, marks the first time a Summer Olympics has opened outside the main athletics stadium—a decision considered risky amid the current high-security environment.
At Paris’s Montparnasse train station, passengers faced significant delays, with wait times ranging from 30 minutes to almost two hours. “Normal traffic is expected to resume on Monday, July 29,” read a sign in the departure hall. Jocelyn, a 27-year-old student planning to travel to Bretagne, expressed frustration over the situation.
“We arrived around 7:00 am but we were told that we might not be able to leave before Monday,” she said, noting the unexpected severity of the disruptions given the anticipated chaos surrounding the Olympics opening ceremony.
As France grapples with the aftermath of these attacks, the country remains vigilant, balancing the challenges of ensuring public safety while hosting a globally significant event.
