In a series of deliberate arson attacks, France’s high-speed rail network was targeted early Friday, severely disrupting train travel just hours before the 2024 Paris Olympic Games opening ceremony. The French state railway company SNCF reported that multiple fires were set, particularly damaging signal boxes and critical infrastructure, causing widespread travel chaos for approximately 800,000 people.
The Paris prosecutor’s office has opened an investigation into these attacks, viewing them as an attempt to undermine fundamental national interests. French officials, including Prime Minister Gabriel Attal, have condemned the acts as “premeditated” and “calculated.”
Today’s massive combined arson and hacker attack against the French high-speed railway network was worse than most people think
There was a foiled arson attack on the Lyon line as well
Had it succeeded, all 4 lines leading to Paris would have been taken out.
Hybrid warfare! 🇷🇺 pic.twitter.com/P1LdQqGerG
— Visegrád 24 (@visegrad24) July 26, 2024
The attacks began around 4 a.m. local time, targeting remote locations to maximize disruption. Fires were set along several key lines, including those connecting Paris with Lille in the north, Bordeaux in the west, and Strasbourg in the east. An attempt to sabotage the Paris-Marseille line was thwarted by SNCF agents.
While no group has claimed responsibility, initial suspicions point towards well-informed perpetrators, potentially with insider knowledge of the rail system. Axel Persson, a leader of the CGT rail union, suggested that railway workers or industrial espionage might be involved. French intelligence services are reportedly fully mobilized to identify and apprehend those responsible, although no direct link to the Olympic Games has been established.
#OlympicGames: France’s high-speed rail network suffers ‘massive attack’ via sabotage, including arson, disrupting services ahead of #Paris2024 Olympics opening ceremony, with multiple routes canceled and repairs expected to last through the weekend. pic.twitter.com/uJWR601VqJ
— Beats in Brief (@beatsinbrief) July 26, 2024
Despite the extensive disruptions, Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo assured that the damage would not affect the Olympic opening ceremony, where 7,000 athletes are expected to participate in a parade down the Seine River. The SNCF has ramped up security measures, including ground and air surveillance, to prevent further attacks.
The impact of the sabotage has been widespread, with SNCF advising travelers to postpone their trips and not to visit stations. By Friday afternoon, some services had resumed, but the disruptions are expected to continue through the weekend as repairs are conducted. The rail operator is working to ensure transport for all Olympic delegations despite the ongoing challenges.
In response to the attacks, French prosecutors have initiated a national investigation into property damage threatening the nation’s fundamental interests, which could carry prison sentences of up to 20 years. Prime Minister Attal expressed his solidarity with affected travelers and praised the efforts of firefighters and SNCF agents working to restore the network.
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