France's high-speed rail network was struck by a series of coordinated sabotage attacks on Friday, just hours before the highly anticipated opening ceremony of the Paris Olympics. The attacks, described as "an attack on France" by SNCF CEO Jean-Pierre Farandou, have led to significant disruptions, impacting thousands of travelers.
The French state railway company SNCF reported that the sabotage affected key high-speed train lines, including the Atlantic, Northern, and Eastern routes. These lines connect Paris with major cities such as Lille, Bordeaux, and Strasbourg. Farandou revealed that cables essential for the security of train drivers were set on fire and dismantled, causing widespread travel chaos.
"This is a question of security," Farandou told reporters. "We have to make sure we test them so when trains are back up and running, they are safe."
An intelligence source indicated that French intelligence services are fully mobilized to identify those responsible for the attacks. While there is no concrete evidence yet, the methods used have been associated with far-left groups in the past.
The Paris prosecutor's office has launched an investigation into the attacks, detailing charges related to the damage of state property and involvement in organized crime. Some of these charges carry penalties of up to 20 years in prison and fines of €300,000 ($325,000).
Prime Minister Gabriel Attal, addressing the media, acknowledged the severity of the situation. "What we know, what we see, is that this operation was prepared, coordinated, that nerve centres were targeted, which shows a certain knowledge of the network to know where to strike," he said.
Travelers across the country faced significant disruptions. SNCF estimated that around 250,000 travelers were affected on Friday, with the number expected to rise to 800,000 over the weekend. Passengers were seen waiting at major train stations, with many expressing frustration and disappointment.
"We didn't need a day like this!" said Francoise, an 80-year-old from La Rochelle, who was trying to return home after medical treatment in Paris.
In another instance, Alexandre and Camille, a couple stuck at Gare Montparnasse, were forced to watch their friends' wedding ceremony via a phone call due to the disruption.
Eurostar, the high-speed train service connecting the UK with France, canceled a quarter of its trains over the weekend, advising customers to postpone their trips if possible. Deutsche Bahn also warned of disruptions to its long-distance services.
The timing of the sabotage has heightened concerns as France gears up for the opening ceremony of the Paris Olympics. With more than 320,000 spectators expected to attend along the River Seine, security has been a top priority. France plans to deploy around 35,000 police officers each day during the Games, peaking at 45,000 for the opening ceremony, alongside 10,000 soldiers and 1,800 international police officers.
International Olympic Committee President Thomas Bach expressed confidence in French security measures. "I don't have concerns," he told reporters at the Olympic Village.
However, the attacks have raised questions about the security of other regions in France, as resources are concentrated in Paris. This was underscored by a bomb alert at the Basel-Mulhouse airport on France's border with Switzerland, which briefly suspended operations.
The attacks have also drawn strong reactions from French officials. Amélie Oudéa-Castera, the French Minister of Sports and the Olympic and Paralympic Games, condemned the sabotage as "truly appalling" and emphasized the need to ensure the safe transport of athletes and delegations.
"This attack is not a coincidence, it's an effort to destabilize France," said Valerie Pecresse, president of the Paris region.
