Attacks on France's high-speed rail network cause major disruption ahead of Paris Olympics

(MENAFN) In a coordinated series of attacks, vandals targeted France's high-speed rail network, causing significant disruptions on some of the busiest rail lines just before the opening ceremony of the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris on Friday. The state-owned rail operator reported that the vandals targeted infrastructure along lines connecting Paris to major cities such as Lille in the north, Bordeaux in the west, and Strasbourg in the east.

The French national railway company urged passengers to postpone their trips as repairs are underway, but warned that train traffic would be severely affected for several days. Many trains have been returned to their departure points as a result of the sabotage. In a statement, the company revealed, "Last night, the company was the victim of several acts of sabotage on the Atlantic, Nord, and Oriental lines of the high-speed trains. Fires were deliberately set to damage our facilities."

These coordinated attacks add to the sense of anxiety as the city prepares for the Olympics opening ceremony in the heart of Paris. To secure the event, France is implementing one of the most intensive security operations in peacetime, deploying over 45,000 police officers, 10,000 soldiers, and 2,000 private security personnel. The operation includes snipers stationed on rooftops and aerial surveillance using drones, underscoring the heightened security measures in place to ensure the safety of the tournament amidst the disruptions caused by the vandalism. 

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