Officials said the arson and other vandalism on the rail system was a form of sabotage on a key Olympic day. There is no indication that the incidents are directly linked to the Games, but authorities are investigating.
Travel for hundreds of thousands of tourists was disrupted on the rail system linking Paris with the rest of France and neighboring countries. No casualties were reported.
A view of the railway tracks at Gare Montparnasse, France, ahead of the 2024 Paris Olympics. Photo: AP
What happened to the rail network?
Explosive devices caused fires in signalling infrastructure on three rail lines entering Paris, rail operator SNCF said. The attacks targeted routes from cities such as Lille in the north, Bordeaux in the west and Strasbourg in the east.
The fires caused disruption, particularly at Paris' Montparnasse station. "Every detail points to a criminal fire," said French Transport Minister Patrice Vergriete.
Paris prosecutors have opened an investigation into the incident, including for destruction of property that threatens the "fundamental interests" of the state, which can be punished with 10 to 20 years in prison.
Jean-Pierre Farandou, CEO of French railway company SNCF, said the sabotage was intended to "cause serious harm" to the French people, and that the nature of the act was "a targeted, calculated and coordinated attack".
He said the fires mainly occurred in pipes containing important signal cables, requiring meticulous repair of each cable.
How does it affect the Olympics?
The incident comes amid global tensions and heightened security measures in Paris as the city prepares for the 2024 Olympics. SNCF chief Jean-Pierre Farandou said around 800,000 passengers were affected ahead of a busy holiday weekend in France.
The incident caused delays on French trains and the wider transport system, with some journeys taking longer than usual or having to stop altogether.
Passengers at Gare de Bordeaux Saint-Jean station after attacks on the high-speed rail network, July 26. Photo: Reuters
Two of the four trains carrying Olympic athletes to Paris on the western Atlantique high-speed rail line were stopped, an SNCF official said.
Two German vaulters — Philipp Weishaupt and Christian Kukuk — said they would have to miss the opening ceremony because of the lengthy delay, German news agency dpa reported.
"It's unfortunate, but we're too late. There's no chance of making it on time anymore," Weishaupt said.
Delays spread internationally to London stations. SNCF advised passengers to postpone travel and avoid stations, and said all tickets were exchangeable and refundable.
France is deploying 45,000 police, 10,000 soldiers and 2,000 private security personnel to protect the opening ceremony of the Olympics. Snipers will be on rooftops and drones will monitor from above.
Who is behind the sabotage?
So far, French authorities have not announced who they suspect planned and carried out the arson attacks. No one has claimed responsibility for the attacks. French Prime Minister Gabriel Attal said it was too early to speculate on the identities of the suspects.
The Paris prosecutor's office said the investigation would be overseen by the organized crime office, with support from the anti-terrorism subcommittee (SDAT), a branch of the judicial police that often monitors far-left, far-right and radical environmental groups.
How important are the Olympics to Paris?
The disruption to high-speed trains marks a difficult start to the biggest event France has ever hosted. The Olympics are a crucial moment for President Emmanuel Macron, who faces political uncertainty after recent legislative elections.
President Macron welcomed more than 110 heads of state and government to the Olympic opening ceremony. He also hosted a summit the day before, where world and business leaders pledged billions of dollars to support sports initiatives that promote sustainable development.
Hoai Phuong (according to AP, Reuters)
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