26-7-2024 (PARIS) On the eve of the Paris Olympics’ grand opening, France’s celebrated high-speed rail network has fallen victim to a series of coordinated “malicious acts”, including arson attacks, throwing the country’s transport system into disarray at the most inopportune moment.
The national train operator SNCF revealed on Friday that their network had suffered a “massive attack on a large scale” designed to cripple the TGV system. The timing of these acts of sabotage, mere hours before the Olympic Games’ opening ceremony, has raised serious concerns about security and logistics for the international sporting event.
“This is an unprecedented assault on our infrastructure,” an SNCF spokesperson told reporters. “The attacks have affected our Atlantic, northern, and eastern lines simultaneously, suggesting a level of coordination that is deeply troubling.”
The rail operator disclosed that arson attacks had been launched against key facilities, severely damaging critical infrastructure. As a result, train services across multiple routes have been thrown into chaos, with SNCF warning that the disruptions are likely to persist “at least all weekend” as repairs are carried out.
In response to the crisis, SNCF has been forced to implement emergency measures. Trains are being rerouted where possible, but the operator has conceded that a “large number” of services will inevitably face cancellation. Passengers have been strongly urged to postpone their journeys and avoid train stations until further notice.
The southeastern line narrowly escaped a similar fate, with SNCF reporting that a planned attack on this route was successfully thwarted. However, this small victory does little to mitigate the overall impact on France’s rail network at this crucial time.
The timing of these attacks could not be more problematic for French authorities. With the Olympic opening ceremony set to commence imminently, the country is preparing to welcome 7,500 athletes, 300,000 spectators, and a host of international VIPs. The smooth operation of the transport network is crucial for the success of the Games, and this deliberate act of sabotage threatens to cast a shadow over the event before it has even begun.
