France’s high-speed TGV rail network has been disrupted by “malicious acts,” including arson attacks, just as the country gears up for the opening ceremony of the Paris Olympics.
The state-owned railway operator SNCF, in a surprising turn of events, reported on Friday that the attacks, described as “simultaneous malicious acts,” targeted facilities along major rail routes connecting Paris with the west, north, and east of the country. The southeastern line was spared, as a planned attack was thwarted.
Despite the sabotage, the rail network has shown resilience, with significant disruptions, many routes cancelled and expected to remain affected through the weekend while repairs are carried out. Services to neighbouring Belgium and London via the Channel Tunnel were also impacted.
As Paris prepares to host the Olympic opening ceremony, which will feature 7,500 athletes and 300,000 spectators, the incident underscores the security challenges facing the city. Al Jazeera’s Bernard Smith, reporting from Paris, noted an “unprecedented security operation,” with a massive 45,000 police, military, and security personnel deployed across the city. A large area along the Seine has been locked down for the ceremony, which will be attended by over 100 global leaders.
National police are investigating the attacks, though it remains unclear if they are directly linked to the Olympics. A source close to the investigation described the incidents as “sabotage” and noted their “evident coordination.”
Smith highlighted the tense geopolitical context of the Games. During meetings with international leaders, French President Emmanuel Macron had called for an ‘Olympic truce’. Still, the ongoing conflicts in Gaza and Ukraine have cast doubt on the feasibility of such a truce.
Accusations of double standards have also surfaced, with criticism directed at excluding Russian and Belarusian athletes from the Olympics. In contrast, Israel, which has 88 athletes competing, remains included despite calls for its exclusion by the Palestinian Olympic committee.
French Sports Minister Amelie Oudea-Castera condemned the attacks, stating, “To target the games is to target France.” SNCF has advised passengers to postpone travel and avoid train stations, especially as many French families are set to begin summer vacations this weekend.
