On Friday, France’s national rail operator reported significant disruptions to its high-speed rail network due to multiple acts of sabotage. These incidents occurred on the same day as the highly anticipated opening ceremony of the Olympics, an event considered high-risk. The sabotage affected rail lines in the western, northern, and eastern parts of France, disrupting not only domestic services but also international routes to Belgium and London via the Channel Tunnel.
An investigation into the sabotage is underway, led by the national police. The French national rail operator, SNCF, described the incidents as “malicious acts” but has not provided specific details about the nature of the sabotage.
French government officials condemned the disruptions, which coincided with the opening ceremony of the Olympic Games being hosted across various French locations. While there is currently no evidence linking the rail sabotage directly to the Olympics, French Sports Minister Amélie Oudéa-Castéra expressed her outrage, calling the acts “completely appalling” and stressing that targeting the Games is akin to targeting France itself. Transport Minister Patrice Vergriete denounced the “massive attack” on the rail network as an “outrageous criminal act,” warning of severe consequences for rail traffic over the weekend, including halved connections to northern, eastern, and northwestern France.
SNCF Chief Executive Jean-Pierre Farandou reported that approximately 800,000 passengers were affected by the disruptions. The timing of the incidents is particularly troubling as many French families are beginning their summer vacations, intensifying the already high demand for travel.
