France’s high-speed rail network was targeted with widespread and “criminal” acts of vandalism, including arson attacks on Friday, leading to travel paralysis to Paris from the rest of France and Europe just hours before the grand opening ceremony of the Olympics.
French officials denounced the attacks as “criminal actions,” stating that there was no direct connection to the Games. Prosecutors in Paris launched a national investigation, with potential sentences of 15 to 20 years for the perpetrators.
As Paris prepared for a grand parade on and along the Seine River, three fires were reported near the tracks on the high-speed lines of Atlantique, Nord, and Est, resulting in disruptions impacting hundreds of thousands of travelers.
Among those affected were two German showjumping athletes who had to turn back in Belgium after being on a train to Paris for the opening ceremony, missing the event, as reported by German news agency dpa.
Rider Philipp Weishaupt, traveling with teammate Christian Kukuk, stated, “There was no longer a chance of making it on time.”
French Prime Minister Gabriel Attal announced on social media that France’s intelligence services were working to apprehend the vandals.
Attal described the acts as “sabotage,” which were “premeditated and coordinated.”
No injuries were reported.
Transport Minister Patrice Vergriete recounted incidents of people fleeing fires and the discovery of incendiary devices, indicating that these were criminal acts.
The disruptions affected several high-speed lines connecting Paris with neighboring countries, according to SNCF, the French national rail company.
SNCF CEO Jean-Pierre Farandou described the attack as “premeditated” and “coordinated,” with the aim of causing serious harm to the French population.
The events unfolded amidst heightened security measures in Paris ahead of the 2024 Olympic Games.
French authorities have thwarted several plots aimed at disrupting the Olympics, including the arrest of a Russian man suspected of planning to destabilize the games.
The Paris police prefecture concentrated personnel in train stations following the “massive attack” that paralyzed the TGV high-speed network, as stated by Paris police chief Laurent Nuñez.
Meanwhile, the French airport of Basel-Mulhouse was evacuated and temporarily closed for safety reasons, although it was unclear if there was a connection to the rail attacks.
At the Montparnasse station in Paris, passengers experienced significant delays and uncertainty about their travel plans.
SNCF advised passengers to postpone their journeys and stay updated on the situation, as disruptions were expected to persist throughout the weekend.
Officials worked to assess the impact on travelers, athletes, and ensure transportation for Olympic delegations to competition sites, emphasizing the importance of supporting the Games and the country.
Despite the challenges, the city was gearing up for the grand opening ceremony, with thousands of athletes set to sail down the Seine past iconic landmarks.
