French train operator SNCF on Friday said that the country’s high-speed network had been targeted by "malicious acts" including arson attacks, resulting in a disrupted system just hours before the opening ceremony of the 2024 Paris Olympics.
France's high-speed rail network was hit by "malicious acts" including arson attacks that have disrupted the transport system, train operator SNCF said Friday, hours before the opening ceremony of the Paris Olympics.
A source close to the investigation told AFP the attacks were coordinated acts of "sabotage".
"This is a massive attack on a large scale to paralyse the TGV network," SNCF told AFP, adding that many routes will have to be cancelled.
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The state-owned railway operator said arsonists had targeted installations along the lines connecting Paris with cities such as Lille in the north, Bordeaux in west and Strasbourg in the east.
ReplyDeleteThe southeastern line was not affected as "a malicious act was foiled".
It urged all travellers to postpone their journeys. Repairs were under way but traffic would be severely disrupted until at least the end of the weekend. Trains were being sent back to their points of departure.
French security forces are hunting the people behind Friday's attacks that hobbled the country's high-speed rail network, Prime Minister Gabriel Attal said on X.
ReplyDelete"Our intelligence services and law enforcement are mobilised to find and punish the perpetrators of these criminal acts," Attal posted on X, calling the attacks "prepared and coordinated acts of sabotage against (rail operator) SNCF's installations" with "huge and serious consequences for the rail network".
At Paris's Montparnasse train station, dozens of passengers were waiting for more information about their trips after delays of 30 minutes to almost two hours were announced.
ReplyDeleteEurostar also said its rail services between London and Paris had been disrupted by the acts of vandalism, resulting in several cancellations and longer journey times.
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