Arson Attacks Paralyze France’s High-Speed Rail Network
On the eve of the Olympics opening ceremony, France’s high-speed rail network was targeted by widespread vandalism and arson attacks, causing major disruptions and chaos for travelers heading to Paris from different parts of the country and Europe.
Government Response and Condemnation
French Prime Minister Gabriel Attal labeled the attacks as criminal acts aimed at blocking the rail network. Authorities launched a nationwide investigation, with Paris prosecutors warning of severe penalties for those responsible.
Impact on Travelers and Olympic Participants
The arson attacks resulted in the paralysis of several key high-speed routes, leaving hundreds of thousands of travelers stranded. Even Olympic athletes, like two German showjumpers, were affected, missing the opening ceremony due to the disruptions.
As the situation unfolded, French officials mobilized intelligence services to locate the perpetrators and condemned the intentional and coordinated nature of the attacks.
Transport Minister Patrice Vigret described the scenes of chaos, with people fleeing the fires and the discovery of incendiary devices, pointing to a deliberate act of sabotage.
Despite the ongoing investigations and repair efforts by SNCF, disruptions were expected to persist throughout the weekend, impacting a quarter of a million passengers on the affected lines.
With the Olympics underway, the attacks raised security concerns and highlighted the need for heightened vigilance during the event.
