Multiple coordinated acts of sabotage targeted France’s high-speed train lines on Friday, ahead of the Paris Olympics opening ceremony. Described as “an attack on France,” these acts included arson and other malicious activities, significantly disrupting travel. The French state railway company, SNCF, reported that numerous trains were either diverted or canceled, urging travelers to postpone their journeys. Although some services resumed by the afternoon, widespread disruptions persisted.
The precision and scale of the attacks suggest they were more than random vandalism, though no group has claimed responsibility. French intelligence services are actively investigating, with suspicions pointing towards methods historically used by the far-left, though no direct evidence supports this connection yet. Affected lines included the Atlantic, Northern, and Eastern high-speed routes, with significant damage to facilities and one act being foiled by SNCF agents in the east.
The Paris prosecutor’s office has launched an investigation, listing charges related to the damage of state property and organized crime, with potential penalties of up to 20 years in prison and substantial fines. Despite emergency repairs, disruptions are expected throughout the weekend, impacting around 800,000 passengers. Passengers at major stations, including Gare du Nord and Gare Montparnasse, faced significant delays and were forced to adjust their travel plans, some missing important events.
Two trains carrying Olympic athletes were among those affected, with only half of the scheduled Olympic trains running. Repairs, particularly on the Atlantic line, are expected to take at least a day, with the SNCF working to source cables from across France to restore service. Eurostar also canceled a quarter of its trains over the weekend due to the coordinated acts of sabotage.
The incidents occurred just hours before the Olympic opening ceremony, which proceeded as planned with heightened security. French authorities, assisted by international intelligence agencies, are bolstering security measures throughout Paris, deploying tens of thousands of police officers and soldiers to ensure safety during the Games. The incidents underscore the heightened state of alert in France amid recent domestic unrest and geopolitical tensions.
