France’s high-speed rail network was hit by a series of coordinated sabotage acts, including arson, on Friday, which severely disrupted travel just before the Paris Olympics opening ceremony. The French state railway company SNCF described the incidents as “an attack on France” and a deliberate attempt to cause chaos.
@BandOfBrothersQ
Twitter July 26 2024 https://x.com/BandOfBrothersQ/status/1816876761784766748
Contents
Widespread Travel Disruptions
SNCF announced on X that numerous trains were diverted or canceled, urging travelers to delay their trips and avoid stations. Although services partially resumed by Friday afternoon, widespread disruptions continued. The attacks targeted the Atlantic, Northern, and Eastern high-speed lines, causing significant damage to several facilities. One attempt in the east was foiled by SNCF agents who scared off several individuals.
@SaltyIrishGirl9 “French Railways sabotaged in massive arson attack”
Twitter July 26, 2024 https://x.com/SaltyIrishGirl9/status/1816891501210714156
Investigation and Responses
French intelligence services are fully mobilized to find those responsible for the sabotage. An intelligence source told CNN that while methods used by the far-left in the past have similarities, there is no evidence linking them to the current attacks. The Paris prosecutor’s office has opened an investigation into the incidents, detailing four separate charges, including damage to state property and organized crime. These crimes could result in up to 20 years’ imprisonment and substantial fines.
Outgoing Prime Minister Gabriel Attal confirmed no arrests had been made as of Friday afternoon. Emergency repairs allowed most trains on the eastern network to run with delays of about an hour, but only a third of trains operated on the Atlantic line. SNCF estimated the disruptions could affect around 250,000 travelers on Friday alone, with 800,000 passengers impacted throughout the weekend.
Personal Stories Amid Chaos
Passengers stranded at stations shared their frustration and disappointment. Francoise, an 80-year-old from La Rochelle, expressed her dismay at having to wait five hours to catch a train after medical treatment in Paris. Alexandre and Camille, a couple stuck at Gare Montparnasse, missed their friends’ wedding ceremony, watching it via video call instead. Marguerite, a 24-year-old professor, struggled to find a place to stay overnight as she attempted to return home to Brittany.
Two trains carrying Olympic athletes were also affected, with only two out of four Olympic trains running. SNCF CEO Jean-Pierre Farandou emphasized the importance of testing and securing the damaged cables before resuming full services. Eurostar canceled a quarter of its trains over the weekend due to the sabotage, advising customers to postpone their trips.
@MichaelAshura (Michael Ashura)
Twitter July 26 2024 https://x.com/MichaelAshura/status/1816781744118595819
Security Measures and Future Implications
With the Olympic torch relay concluding and the opening ceremony commencing, security measures were heightened. More than 320,000 spectators were expected to attend along the River Seine. Paris police chief Laurent Nunez announced increased security at train stations, and the French interior ministry planned to deploy around 35,000 police officers daily during the Games, with a peak of 45,000 for the opening ceremony. Additionally, 10,000 soldiers and 1,800 international police officers would support the security efforts.
International Olympic Committee President Thomas Bach expressed confidence in the French authorities and the security protocols in place, highlighting the assistance from 180 other intelligence services worldwide.
Recent domestic unrest in France, fueled by national elections and ideological clashes, has exacerbated the security challenges. Interior Minister Gérald Darmanin reported the detention of an extreme-right member suspected of planning violent actions during the Olympics. Furthermore, France has faced a wave of attacks linked to Russia, including arson and sabotage of infrastructure. French authorities detained a Russian citizen in Paris this week, accusing him of planning destabilizing events during the Olympics. The Kremlin has not responded to these allegations.
