France Investigates 'Massive Attack' on Fast Train Network
Who Might Be Behind the Disruption?
French Prime Minister Gabriel Attal wrote on the social media platform X that the country’s intelligence services had been mobilized to track down the perpetrators.
He characterized the vandalism as “acts of sabotage,” which were “prepared and coordinated.”
Prosecutors in Paris opened a national investigation into the incidents, saying the crimes included property damage threatening the nation’s “fundamental interests.”
Local media said the attacks appeared to have been coordinated by individuals with a knowledge of the rail system.
However, suspicion might also fall on Russia. French President Emmanuel Macron has previously said Moscow was planning to target the Games.
Police in Paris arrested a Russian man this week, saying he was suspected of “organizing events likely to lead to destabilization during the Olympic Games.”
The Kremlin said Friday it hadn’t been informed of the arrest.
French Transport Minister Patrice Vergriete described the discovery of incendiary devices and people fleeing from the scene of fires. “Everything indicates that these are criminal fires,” he said.
Security forces in France are on full alert to prevent terror attacks from marring the first French Summer Olympics in 100 years, and those numbers were bolstered following Friday’s sabotage acts.
What Should Passengers Do?
SNCF said a large number of trains had been diverted or canceled.
“Affected travelers will be contacted by email or SMS,” it posted in a message on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter.
“We ask all travelers who can to postpone their trip and not to go to the station. All tickets for these disrupted journeys are exchangeable and refundable.”
Services to northern France, Belgium and the United Kingdom were delayed.
German rail operator Deutsche Bahn warned of disruptions to its long-distance rail network to France.
“Due to damage caused by vandalism, Deutsche Bahn’s long-distance services between France and Germany are subject in the short term to cancellations and delays,” it said in a notice on its website.
Vergriete, meanwhile, said rail traffic was beginning to resume in the afternoon, especially on the Atlantic line.
Macron Welcomes World Leaders
World leaders began arriving at Macron’s Elysee Palace office Friday afternoon, ahead of the opening ceremony in the evening.
Macron and his wife, Brigitte, welcomed the guests in the courtyard of the Elysee, for a reception for around 85 heads of state or government.
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, who is also in Paris for the opening ceremony, also denounced the vandalism.
“This is something that is absolutely condemnable. To disrupt such a celebration of peace with acts of violence can never be accepted and demands the most resolute rejection,” Scholz said on a visit to the German Embassy in Paris.
He said he hoped “the French authorities will soon be successful in identifying the perpetrators.”
This article is published courtesy of Deutsche Welle (DW).
