By France’s high-speed rail network was severely disrupted on Friday by widespread and “criminal” acts of vandalism, including arson attacks. These coordinated attacks paralyzed travel to Paris from across France and Europe just hours before the grand opening ceremony of the Olympics.
French officials quickly condemned the attacks as “criminal actions” and emphasized the gravity of the situation, although they clarified there was no immediate evidence linking the incidents directly to the Olympic Games. Prosecutors in Paris have launched a national investigation, noting that those responsible for these crimes could face severe penalties, including prison sentences of 15 to 20 years.
As Paris authorities were making final preparations for a spectacular parade on and along the Seine River to celebrate the opening of the Olympics, three significant fires were reported near the tracks of the high-speed rail lines Atlantique, Nord, and Est. These fires led to widespread disruptions, causing chaos and delays for hundreds of thousands of travelers attempting to reach the French capital.
Among those affected were two German athletes specializing in showjumping who were traveling by train to Paris to participate in the opening ceremony. Due to the rail line closures and resulting delays, they were forced to turn back in Belgium, thereby missing the ceremony altogether. This incident was reported by the German news agency dpa.
French Prime Minister Gabriel Attal took to the social media platform X to address the nation, stating that France’s intelligence services have been mobilized to identify and apprehend the perpetrators behind these acts of sabotage. Attal described the actions as “prepared and coordinated,” highlighting the sophisticated nature of the attacks.
Authorities have intensified security measures and surveillance, especially around critical infrastructure and transportation hubs, to prevent further incidents. The French government is treating this situation with the utmost urgency, given its timing and potential implications for national security.
The high-speed rail lines targeted are vital arteries for both domestic and international travel. The Atlantique line connects Paris with the western regions of France, the Nord line links the capital with northern France and neighboring countries, and the Est line serves the eastern regions and beyond. The simultaneous attacks on these major lines indicate a high level of coordination and planning.
Investigators are currently examining all possible leads, including surveillance footage, eyewitness accounts, and any potential digital communication that might shed light on the culprits’ identities and motives. The public has been urged to report any suspicious activity that could be related to the attacks.
The timing of these attacks, just before the Olympic opening ceremony, raises concerns about the security of large-scale international events. The disruption caused by the arson attacks not only affects the logistics and schedules of the participants and spectators but also underscores the vulnerabilities in public infrastructure that can be exploited by malicious actors.
