France’s high-speed rail network has been severely disrupted by coordinated acts of sabotage, including arson attacks, just hours before the Paris Olympics opening ceremony. The train operator SNCF reported that these “malicious acts” have caused significant disruptions, affecting routes and passengers across the network.
According to SNCF, the attacks were deliberate attempts to “paralyse the TGV network.” The damage has been extensive, impacting the Atlantic, northern, and eastern rail lines. Arson attacks were used to damage crucial rail facilities, resulting in severe disruption of train services, which are expected to continue through the weekend while repairs are underway.
“This is a massive attack on a large scale,” SNCF stated. The disruption has forced many train services to be cancelled, with SNCF estimating that around 800,000 passengers have been affected.
Transport Minister Patrice Vergriete condemned the sabotage as an “outrageous criminal act” and warned of “very serious consequences” for rail traffic. Connections to northern, eastern, and northwestern France have been halved, while SNCF CEO Jean-Pierre Farandou noted that significant cancellations are unavoidable.
The southeastern rail line escaped the attacks, as an attempted malicious act was thwarted, but SNCF advised passengers to delay their travel and avoid train stations if possible.
The sabotage occurred amid heightened security in Paris for the Summer Olympics. The opening ceremony, which will feature up to 7,500 athletes parading along the Seine River on a flotilla of 85 boats, is expected to draw a crowd of 300,000 spectators and numerous VIPs. This is the first time a Summer Olympics has opened outside a main athletics stadium, increasing security risks at a time when France is on high alert for potential terror attacks.
At Paris’s Montparnasse train station, passengers faced delays ranging from 30 minutes to nearly two hours. Student Jocelyn, 27, who was planning to travel to Bretagne, expressed frustration over the unexpected chaos, commenting on the scale of disruption ahead of the Olympics.
Normal rail services are anticipated to resume on Monday, July 29, according to SNCF’s announcements. Meanwhile, travellers are advised to stay updated on the latest information and prepare for continued disruptions.
