Paris rail network hit by attacks before Olympics opening ceremony

Up to 800,000 passengers have been impacted by coordinated “malicious acts” including arson attacks that have caused major disruptions on many of France’s busiest rail lines just hours before the opening ceremony of the Paris Olympics.

France’s railway operator, SNCF, reported that arsonists targeted installations along the lines connecting Paris with the country’s west, north, and east. The multiple incidents of fire have led to severe traffic disruptions which are expected to last throughout the weekend, said the SNCF.

“This is a massive attack on a large scale to paralyse the TGV network,” SNCF told Agence France-Presse, noting that many routes would be cancelled and the situation would persist “at least all weekend while repairs are conducted”.

The national operator described the incidents as “several simultaneous malicious acts overnight,” impacting its Atlantic, northern, and eastern lines.

#UPDATE Hours before the opening ceremony of the Paris #Olympics , France’s high-speed rail network has been hit by “malicious acts” including arson attacks that have disrupted the transport system, train operator SNCF says.

“This is a massive attack on a large scale to paralyse… pic.twitter.com/Fj9NqiRA6b

— AFP News Agency (@AFP) July 26, 2024

Travellers across France impacted

Valerie Pecresse, president of the regional council of the greater Paris region, stated that “250,000 travellers will be affected today on all these lines,” advising people to avoid stations. French media reported that an attack on the southeastern line was averted.

International trains to countries such as Belgium, and to UK capital London via the English Channel were also disrupted. The arson attacks appeared to be planned and carefully targeted at strategic points on the rail network, reported local media agencies quoting French officials.

France’s sports minister called the incidents “completely appalling” and stated, “to target the games is to target France,” as per a report by Agence-France Presse.

🚄🇫🇷La SNCF a fait état, vendredi, de plusieurs «actes de malveillance», notamment des incendies volontaires qui ont engendré des interruptions de circulation et de gros retards de TGV

En ce premier jour officiel des Jeux Olympiques de Paris.

📹 Luc Auffret pic.twitter.com/vwVDbcqb7a

— Anadolu Français (@aa_french) July 26, 2024

In preparation for the opening of ceremony of the Paris Olympics Games, more than 45,000 police officers, 10,000 soldiers, and 2,000 private security agents have been deployed, with snipers on rooftops and drones monitoring from the air.

A significant area along the Seine has been secured for the ceremony, which will be observed by over 100 global leaders.

While French officials have not explicitly stated that the attacks were linked to the international sports event, local media reports quoted a source close to the investigation who described the incidents as acts of “sabotage,” adding that the attacks were “evidently coordinated”.

SNCF has urged passengers to postpone their trips and stay away from train stations as families head for their summer vacations.

Read: How to watch the Paris Olympics 2024 opening ceremony