France’s high-speed train network has been targeted by multiple “malicious acts” including arson ahead of the Paris Olympics opening ceremony.
In what has been described as “coordinated sabotage” to AFP, the overnight attacks have caused major travel disruption across the country.
The widespread disruption to the network came on the day that the 2024 Olympics was to stage its ceremonial start in the French capital. It was also expected to be a particularly busy day of travel for thousands of holidaymakers across the country.
The Sporting News explains what went on and what impact there may be on the Games.
MORE: Projecting the length of the 2024 Olympics opening ceremony
Paris train network attacks: SNCF, Eurostar affected ahead of 2024 Olympics opening ceremony
France’s cross-country train network was severely affected hours out from Friday evening’s opening ceremony in Paris.
In a statement, state-owned railway operator SNCF said fires were set at installations along major lines connecting key French cities with the capital.
They include Strasbourg in the east, Bordeaux in the west and Lille in the north.
Travellers have been urged to postpone journeys if possible, with timetables set to be heavily impacted over the weekend.
Normal service is projected to resume by Monday.
“This is a massive attack on a large scale to paralyse the TGV network [France’s intercity high-speed rail system],” SNCF told AFP.
“SNCF was the victim of several simultaneous malicious acts overnight. Arson attacks were started to damage our facilities.”
The southeastern line — connecting cities including Montpellier and Marseille — is currently unaffected, with an attack “foiled”.
SNCF stated the attacks have impacted approximately 800,000 passengers. Eurostar services between London and France have also been affected.
⚠️ Due to coordinated acts of malice in France, affecting several high speed lines, several high speed trains are being diverted or cancelled.
Our teams are fully mobilised in stations, in the call centers, and onboard to ensure that all passengers are informed and can reach… https://t.co/IRXQK6lCtu— SNCF Voyageurs (@SNCFVoyageurs) July 26, 2024
Due to disruptions in Lille, trains between the two capital cities have either been cancelled or extended by roughly an hour and a half.
Jean-Pierre Farandou, the CEO of the SNCF, told BFM TV that “it’s a day of sadness today”.
“I am thinking of all the French who won’t be able to go on holiday today, or those who will leave in worse conditions,” he said.
“[The disruption] will certainly last the whole weekend, because it will take a long time to fix.”
Will the Paris 2024 opening ceremony be affected?
The opening ceremony itself is unlikely to be impacted by the attacks, although spectators, officials and potentially athletes commuting from outside Paris could face difficulties.
The Paris 2024 organising committee said in a statement it had “taken note of incidents affecting the Atlantic, North and East lines of the SNCF rail network. We are working closely with our partner, the rail operator SNCF, to assess the situation”.
As for the event’s safety, high levels of security are already in place.
With 300,000 spectators and a large audience of VIPs expected, security will be paramount for the ceremony, which is taking place outside a stadium for the first time in Olympic history.
Over 7,000 athletes will travel six kilometres down the Seine on boats. The ceremony is scheduled to begin at 7:30 pm local time (1:30 pm ET).
