Just hours before the opening ceremony of the Olympic Games in Paris, the French high-speed train network was attacked at several locations around the city.
Tthe French railway company SNCF has reported arson attacks on several of the TGV high-speed lines.
These attacks resulted in major transport disruptions and affected thousands of travelers making their way into the city to witness the opening ceremony.
According to Tagesschau, multiple rail connections have currently been canceled, including routes to the Stade de France, one of the Olympic venues.
Widespread Impact
On the night before the opening, unknown perpetrators carried out arson attacks on various facilities of the French high-speed train network.
This has caused major disruption to Atlantic, Northern, and Eastern routes, including the vital link to the Stade de France, where the Games are taking place.
International rail services to Belgium and the UK are also affected.
The SNCF has started repair work but warns that restrictions could last throughout the weekend. The company spoke of "coordinated malicious acts" and called on passengers to postpone their journeys and avoid the train stations.
A planned sabotage in the southeast of the country was prevented.
Political Reactions
French Transport Minister Patrice Vergriete strongly condemned the acts of sabotage and stated on Platform X that the criminal acts endanger many people's travel plans.
Sports Minister Amélie Oudéa-Castéra also expressed her dismay and stressed that an attack on the Olympic Games was also an attack on France.
The national police have launched an investigation to find those responsible.
French media reported a major fire on a busy stretch of road in the west of the country, disrupting the travel plans of many French families who were planning to leave for their summer holidays.
High Security Precautions
Despite the disruptions, the opening ceremony of the Olympic Games in Paris will take place this evening.
Around 300,000 spectators are expected to attend the ceremony along the Seine, including prominent guests such as German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and US First Lady Jill Biden.
Around 45,000 security forces are deployed to secure the event. The airspace around Paris will be closed for the evening, and the streets along the Seine, where the parade takes place, will be largely closed to car traffic.
