Arsonists Paralyze French High-Speed Rail Network, Disrupting Olympic Travel

Arsonists launched a coordinated attack on the French high-speed rail network, causing widespread disruption and paralyzing travel to Paris from across France and Europe. The attacks affected approximately 800,000 people, including Olympic athletes who were en route to the Games’ opening ceremony. French officials condemned the criminal actions, although they did not find any direct link to the Games.

Prosecutors in Paris have initiated a national investigation into the incidents, stating that the crimes, which include property damage threatening the nation’s “fundamental interests,” could carry severe sentences of 10 to 20 years. The attacks have shadowed the long-awaited Olympics, with travelers expressing frustration and disappointment.

Early Friday morning, three fires were reported near the tracks on the high-speed lines of Atlantique, Nord, and Est, causing significant disruptions for hundreds of thousands of travelers. Among those affected were Olympic athletes, with two out of four trains carrying them to Paris on the western Atlantique high-speed line being halted hours before the opening ceremony. German athletes Philipp Weishaupt and Christian Kukuk, who were on a train to Paris, had to turn back in Belgium due to the closures.

Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo assured the public that the attacks on France’s high-speed railway arteries would have no impact on the opening ceremony. However, the incidents have undoubtedly dampened the mood as the Games were about to commence. Fortunately, there have been no reports of injuries resulting from the attacks.

French Prime Minister Gabriel Attal stated that France’s intelligence services are actively mobilized to apprehend the perpetrators of these “acts of sabotage.” He described the attacks as “prepared and coordinated” with a clear objective of blocking the high-speed train network. Jean-Pierre Farandou, the CEO of the national railway company SNCF, characterized the attacks as a premeditated and calculated assault aimed at seriously harming the French people.

The targeted locations were chosen strategically to maximize the impact, as each fire cut off two lines. Railway maintenance workers managed to thwart a suspected sabotage attempt along tracks heading southeast of Paris, alerting the police when they spotted intruders. However, repairs are underway as forensic examinations are conducted and authorities search for the culprits. The fires primarily targeted critical signaling cables contained within pipes.

Train traffic is gradually resuming, especially on the Atlantique line, which had been completely halted. Transport Minister Patrice Vergriete stated that one in three trains should be running in the afternoon at Montparnasse and Bordeaux stations, which were the most affected.

The attacks occurred against the backdrop of global tensions and as Paris prepared to host the 2024 Olympic Games. French authorities have previously foiled several plots aimed at disrupting the Olympics, including those suspected of planning to destabilize the games. The city has been a target of terrorist attacks in the past, and hosting the Olympic Games was seen as a significant step towards healing from years of trauma.

The Paris police prefecture concentrated its personnel in train stations across the city following the massive attack that paralyzed the TGV high-speed network. In a separate incident, the French airport of Basel-Mulhouse on the border with Germany and Switzerland was briefly evacuated for safety reasons, although it remains unclear if there is any connection to the rail attacks.

Passengers stranded at Montparnasse station and Gare du Nord, one of Europe’s busiest train stations, expressed frustration as services to northern France, Belgium, and the United Kingdom experienced delays. Germany’s national railway operator, Deutsche Bahn, also reported short-notice cancellations and delays of trains between France and Germany.

The disruptions have cast a shadow over the opening ceremony, where 7,000 Olympic athletes were scheduled to sail down the Seine River, passing iconic Parisian landmarks. German Chancellor Olaf Scholz expressed his concern, stating that disturbing such a festival of peace with acts of violence cannot be accepted.

In a lighthearted response to the rail network’s quick response, prominent French cartoonist Plantu posted a cartoon on Instagram depicting SNCF agents receiving the first three Olympic gold medals. The cartoon humorously acknowledges the efforts of the railway workers in resolving the crisis.