In a series of early morning attacks, saboteurs targeted France’s TGV high-speed train network, causing significant disruptions on some of the busiest rail lines just as the Paris Olympics opening ceremony was set to begin. These acts of sabotage come as France intensifies its security measures, deploying tens of thousands of police and soldiers to secure the capital for the Games.
The state-owned railway operator, SNCF, reported that vandals damaged signal boxes on lines connecting Paris to cities like Lille, Bordeaux, and Strasbourg. An attempt to sabotage the Paris-Marseille line was thwarted. These attacks stranded hundreds of thousands of passengers at train stations across the country.
Transport Minister Patrice Vergriete, speaking at Gare du Nord, confirmed the criminal nature of the acts. Early suspicions point to hardline leftist militants or environmental activists, though no group has claimed responsibility. The attacks have heightened tensions as over 300,000 spectators are expected for the Olympic opening ceremony along the River Seine.
SNCF has urged travelers to delay their journeys. Repairs are ongoing, but significant disruptions are expected through the weekend. Trains are being redirected to their starting points while repairs continue on the Atlantic, Northern, and Eastern high-speed lines. SNCF chief Jean-Pierre Farandou stated that approximately 800,000 customers have been affected, with thousands of rail staff working on repairs.
Valerie Pecresse, president of the Paris region, labeled the attacks an effort to destabilize France. The country has deployed 45,000 police, 10,000 soldiers, and 2,000 private security agents for the opening ceremony. While Paris is heavily fortified, security elsewhere in the country is lighter, raising concerns about additional attacks.
Paris 2024 organizers are collaborating with SNCF to manage the situation, which complicates travel for those heading to Paris. Some teams, like the U.S. basketball team, planned to travel to Lille by train on Saturday. In response, the Paris police chief has intensified security at the capital’s main stations.
Passengers at stations like Gare de l’Est, including Corinne Lecocq, whose train to Strasbourg was canceled, are finding alternative routes. “We’ll take the slow line,” Lecocq remarked, expressing frustration over the delay. Xavier Hiegel, a weekend traveler, criticized the sabotage. “The Games bring jobs, so this really is nonsense. I hope the people responsible will be found and punished,” he said.
