France rail company SNCF reported that its high-speed network faced a “massive attack” involving “malicious acts” intended to paralyze the system just hours before the Paris Olympics’ opening ceremony,
According to BBC, multiple high-speed TGV lines to the west, north, and east of Paris were affected, leading to long queues at Montparnasse station, which serves western destinations from the capital.
Transport Minister Patrice Vergriete condemned these “criminal acts,” noting their impact on people’s holiday plans.
Numerous trains were canceled, with SNCF warning that the disruptions could persist “at least all weekend while repairs are conducted.”
Sports Minister, Amélie Oudéa-Castéra, called the attacks “downright appalling,” and stated that the immediate effects on the public and Olympic athletes were being assessed, including potential disruptions to transporting teams to competition sites over the weekend.
More than 300,000 spectators are expected in central Paris on Friday for an opening ceremony featuring thousands of Olympic athletes sailing down the River Seine.
SNCF revealed that fires had been set to damage its facilities, and Chief Executive Jean-Pierre Farrandou estimated up to 800,000 travelers were affected by the disruptions.
An AFP news agency source involved in the investigation said the attack consisted of “sabotage” acts.
While no one has claimed responsibility, concerns are rising that these could be coordinated acts of vandalism.
Eurostar reported its London-Paris services were also impacted by the “acts of malice” due to its reliance on the Paris to Lille high-speed line.
Eurostar and other high-speed services were diverted to alternate lines, causing a ripple effect on other services.
SNCF’s systems detected sabotage acts around 04:00 (02:00 GMT). Repair teams were already on-site assessing damage and starting repairs, but SNCF warned the situation might extend through the weekend and beyond.
Jean-Pierre Farrandou noted thousands of rail workers were deployed across the network. He expressed frustration, saying, “This was supposed to be a holiday,” and added, “It’s the big day for going on summer holiday, and it’s also of course the opening of the Olympics with lots of French people coming to Paris to enjoy the Games and all of that’s ruined.”
