France's high-speed rail system was targeted in a series of attacks on Friday, wreaking havoc on the opening day of the 2024 Olympic Games.
A series of “malicious and coordinated acts” led to the cancellation or diversion of many trains in France, the French railway company said, and all travellers were urged to postpone their journey and avoid going to train stations on the first day of the Olympics. SNCF and CNNDamage was reported on several SNCF facilities and on the Atlantic, Northern and Eastern high-speed lines.
CNN reported that at least one attack was quelled by SNCF staff scaring a group of people away. It is unclear at this time who is behind the attacks. Details of the “malicious acts” have not been released, but they have reportedly included arson.
LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM – JULY 26, 2024: A sign warns passengers that trains are cancelled due to Eurostar service disruptions at St. Pancras station in London, United Kingdom on July 26, 2024. Some Eurostar trains between London and Paris were scheduled to run on the “classic” route, but journey times have been increased, due to a suspected arson attack on France's high-speed rail network that disrupted the country's rail system ahead of the Olympic Games opening ceremony. (Photo by Dan Kitwood/Getty Images)
“Since each fire cut off two lines, the locations were specifically chosen to be most severely affected,” SNCF CEO Jean-Pierre Farandou said. according to Speaking to the Associated Press, the source said “these tactics have been used by far-left groups in the past” but claimed there was “no evidence linking them to today's actions.” (Related article: Olympics off to a spectacular start with drone scandal, coach ousted, staff detained)
An estimated 250,000 people were affected by the attacks on Friday alone, with a further 800,000 expected over the weekend, with French authorities calling the actions that have paralyzed the country “criminal”.
At the time of writing, no injuries had been reported.
