Disruption of High-Speed Train Services in France Due to Arson Attacks

Disruption of High-Speed Train Services in France Due to Arson

Travelers in France faced significant disruptions on three high-speed train lines on Friday, primarily due to a series of deliberate arson attacks, as reported by the national railway company, S.N.C.F. This disruption coincided with the day of the Opening Ceremony of the Olympic Games, exacerbating travel chaos across the nation.

In a statement, the S.N.C.F. described the incidents as a “massive attack” aimed at crippling the high-speed rail network. The company reported that “deliberate fires were set” on the Atlantic, Northern, and Eastern lines, which resulted in significant damage to their infrastructure.

The company indicated that traffic on these lines was “severely disrupted,” leading to numerous train cancellations. In light of the situation, travelers were advised to postpone their journeys if possible to avoid further inconvenience.

Patrice Vergriete, the Minister of Transportation in France, condemned the attacks, noting that these “coordinated malicious acts” had targeted multiple high-speed rail links across the country. He warned that the repercussions of these actions would likely extend into the weekend, complicating travel plans for many.

According to the S.N.C.F., one significant incident occurred around Arras, approximately 100 miles north of Paris, affecting the high-speed line connecting the capital to Lille. Another attack was reported near Courtalain, situated about 90 miles southwest of Paris, impacting the lines that link Tours and Le Mans to Paris. Additionally, the company revealed that a “malicious act was thwarted” on the line that connects Paris to southeastern France.

Firefighters were promptly dispatched to the scenes of these incidents, which occurred around 5:15 a.m. The S.N.C.F. issued warnings about potential cancellations and delays ranging from 30 to 90 minutes.

The atmosphere in Paris was already tense, with heightened security measures in place as the city prepared for the grand opening ceremony. In anticipation of the event, tens of thousands of police officers, alongside counterterrorism units and military personnel, were deployed throughout the city to ensure the safety of Olympic venues, popular tourist attractions, train stations, and public spaces.

In preparation for the ceremony, authorities had previously cordoned off sections of the Seine River on both banks to safeguard the thousands of athletes participating in the spectacular flotilla and the hundreds of thousands of fans expected to attend the event.