France’s high-speed train lines were targeted by multiple “malicious” acts, including arson, on Friday in a shocking turn of events. Described as “an attack on France” and “coordinated sabotage,” these incidents have disrupted travel ahead of the Paris Olympics opening ceremony.
The French state railway company SNCF announced on X that “a large number of trains were diverted or canceled,” urging travelers to postpone their trips if possible. By Friday afternoon, services had partially resumed, but widespread disruption continued.
No one has claimed responsibility for the attacks, but their scale and precision suggest they are more than random acts of vandalism. An intelligence source told reporters that French intelligence services are “fully mobilized” to find those responsible. The source added that “these methods have been used by the far-left in the past,” but there is no evidence linking them to today’s actions.
The Atlantic, Northern, and Eastern high-speed lines were impacted, with damage to several facilities. One attack was foiled in the east after SNCF agents scared off several individuals. The Atlantic line serves the west and southwest of France from Paris, the Northern line connects the French capital to Lille, and the Eastern line journeys from Paris to Strasbourg.
SNCF CEO Jean-Pierre Farandou told journalists that cables, crucial for train drivers’ safety, were set on fire and taken apart. “We don’t know who is behind it,” he said, but it was likely someone with “very precise information,” according to Axel Persson, a leader of the CGT rail union.
The Paris prosecutor’s office has opened an investigation, detailing four separate charges relating to the damage of state property and organized crime. Some of these crimes are punishable by up to 20 years’ imprisonment and a fine of €300,000 ($325,000). Outgoing French Prime Minister Gabriel Attal said on Friday afternoon that no arrests had been made so far.
Following emergency repairs, most trains on the eastern network were running with delays of about an hour by Friday afternoon, but only a third of trains were running on the Atlantic side, regional SNCF director Frank Dubourdieu told reporters.
Disruptions Expected Throughout the Weekend
SNCF estimated that the disruptions could impact around 250,000 travelers today and 800,000 passengers over the weekend as work crews oversee repairs. Passengers milled around outside Paris’ Gare du Nord train station, with their travel plans in disarray.
Francoise, an 80-year-old from La Rochelle, was trying to get home after medical treatment in Paris. “We didn’t need a day like this!” she said, preparing to wait another five hours for a train.
Meanwhile, a couple stuck at Gare Montparnasse watched their friends’ wedding ceremony by phone. Alexandre and Camille were hoping to reach Poitiers for the civil ceremony but had to settle for a video call.
Olympic Athletes Also Affected
Two trains carrying Olympic athletes were also affected. Dubourdieu told journalists that “of all four Olympic trains, only two were able to run, one was canceled, and a third is being prepared.”
Repair works are expected to take at least a day but could take longer on the Atlantic line as the company sources cables from all over France. Farandou explained that they have to pull the damaged cables back together one by one, reconnect, and test them. It’s a question of security,” he said.
Eurostar, the high-speed train service connecting the United Kingdom with France, is canceling a quarter of its trains this weekend due to the “coordinated acts of malice” on French lines. It is encouraging customers to postpone their trips if possible.
Security Bolstered Ahead of Opening Ceremony
These incidents come just hours before the Olympic torch relay concludes and the opening ceremony begins, with more than 320,000 spectators expected along the River Seine. The opening ceremony will go ahead as planned, a Paris 2024 spokesperson told reporters. International Olympic Committee President Thomas Bach said he has “full confidence” in the French authorities and security protocols already in place.
French officials agreed that the attacks were intentional. The French minister of sports and the Olympic and Paralympic Games, Amélie Oudéa-Castera, called the disruption “a sort of coordinated sabotage.” Paris police chief Laurent Nunez said police are stepping up security and focusing manpower on the capital’s train stations.
France plans to deploy around 35,000 police each day during the Games, peaking at 45,000 for the opening ceremony. In addition, 10,000 soldiers will be deployed in the Paris region, supported by 1,800 police officers from around the world.
Growing Domestic Unrest
There has been growing domestic unrest in France, powered in part by recent national elections that saw a battle between the left and far-right. Interior Minister Darmanin confirmed security forces had detained a “member of the extreme-right” this week who was “suspected of wanting to commit violent action during the Olympic Games.
At the same time, France has been among many European countries impacted by a wave of attacks linked by officials to Russia. These have included arson and acts of sabotage against infrastructure. Russia has not responded to the allegations.
