France Trains Cancelled as Hunt for Vandals Continues
In a shocking turn of events, France's rail network is facing significant disruptions as a result of a series of coordinated arson attacks targeting high-speed train services. On Saturday, approximately three out of ten French high-speed trains will be cancelled, severely impacting travel plans just ahead of the highly anticipated Olympic Games.
Ongoing Investigation
French Prime Minister Gabriel Attal has confirmed that security forces are actively searching for the "saboteurs" responsible for these attacks, which have paralyzed rail networks across the country. The national rail company, SNCF, has reported that services that do operate on Saturday will experience delays of up to two hours on major lines connecting to and from Paris. Additionally, Eurostar, which provides international train services from London to Paris, will see a quarter of its services cancelled over the weekend.
Impact on Passengers
The scale of the disruption is staggering, with SNCF estimating that around 250,000 passengers were affected on Friday alone. Junior Transport Minister Patrice Vergriete warned that as many as 800,000 travelers could be impacted over the course of three days. Passengers have been advised to postpone their journeys, as the chaos is expected to persist until Monday morning.
Among those affected was UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, who had intended to travel to the Olympic Games' opening ceremony by train but was forced to fly instead. Expressing his frustration, he stated, "I’m not going to pretend it wasn’t frustrating because it was, and for very many people it made travel so much harder."
The Nature of the Attacks
SNCF has reported that there has been no claim of responsibility for the attacks. However, the company noted that its staff worked tirelessly through the night under challenging conditions to repair the damage caused. The vandalism was described as "strategic," with cabling boxes at junctions on the North, Brittany, and South-West lines set ablaze just hours before the Olympic opening ceremony was set to begin in Paris.
Government officials revealed that saboteurs had cut and ignited specialized fiber optic cables, which are crucial for the safe operation of the rail network. A source linked to the investigation indicated that the operation appeared to be "well-prepared" and orchestrated by "a single structure." Rail workers successfully thwarted an attempt to destroy safety equipment on a fourth line.
Looking Ahead
As the investigation continues, the rail network remains on high alert. A spokesperson for SNCF stated that while traffic disruptions are expected to continue on the North axis, improvements are anticipated on the Atlantic axis for weekend returns. The situation remains fluid, and authorities are urging travelers to stay informed about service updates.
As France grapples with this unprecedented attack on its rail infrastructure, the focus remains on restoring normalcy and ensuring the safety of passengers as the nation prepares to welcome the world for the Olympic Games.