Vandalism disrupts France’s train network ahead of Paris Olympics

Vandals targeted France’s high-speed train network with a series of coordinated actions that caused major disruptions to some of the country’s busiest rail lines just ahead of the Paris Olympics opening ceremony on Friday. The state-owned railway operator, SNCF, reported that arsonists had deliberately set fires to installations along the lines connecting Paris with Lille, Bordeaux, and Strasbourg.

Travellers were urged to postpone their journeys as repairs were underway, but traffic was expected to be severely disrupted until at least the end of the weekend. Many trains were being sent back to their points of departure.

🚨🇫🇷BREAKING: OLYMPICS TARGETED BY MASSIVE ATTACK ON FRENCH TRAIN NETWORK

French train operator SNCF foiled an attack on their high-speed lines in the southeast of the country, but all other areas were struck by acts of vandalism and arson.

The attacks were launched as Paris… https://t.co/GPoW5AFIwt pic.twitter.com/eOTcQnqTuF

— ChoosyBluesy (@ChoosyBluesy) July 26, 2024

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“Last night, the SNCF was victim of several acts of vandalism on the Atlantic, Northern and Eastern high-speed lines. Fires were deliberately set to damage our installations,” the SNCF said in a statement.

The attacks on the rail network heightened apprehensions ahead of the Olympics opening ceremony in the heart of Paris. France is deploying an unprecedented peacetime security operation to secure the event, with over 45,000 police officers, 10,000 soldiers, and 2,000 private security agents on duty. Snipers will be positioned on rooftops and drones will monitor from the air. Paris 2024 organizers said they were working closely with the SNCF to assess the situation.

There was no immediate claim of responsibility, nor any indication of whether the actions were politically motivated. Transport Minister Patrice Vergriete described the acts as criminal, and Paris police chief announced further security reinforcements at the capital’s main stations. Sports Minister Amelie Oudea-Castera condemned the vandalism, stating, “It’s completely appalling. To target the games is to target France.”

At Gare de L’Est, traveler Corinne Lecocq expressed her frustration as her train to Strasbourg had been canceled. “We’ll take the slow line,” she said. “I’m on holiday so it’s OK, even if it is irritating to be late.”