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France’s state-owned rail company SNCF suffered a massive arson attack, causing major disruptions to train services across all of France during the first day of the Olympic games.
The company stated on its social media that “Due to coordinated acts of malice in France, affecting several high-speed lines, several high-speed trains are being diverted or canceled.” They also told Agence France-Presse that this was a massive attack on a large scale to paralyze the TGV network. This caused a devastating blow to the country just as it was at its busiest.
According to Interesting Engineering, it was reported that arsonists attacked crucial cables on lines that connect Paris to the west, north, and east of the country, leading to widespread cancellations and delays. Although an attack was foiled in the southeast, lines connecting Paris to many cities were severely disrupted.
This major disruption is expected to severely impact about 800,000 French citizens, with the SNFC urging passengers to postpone their travel plans and completely avoid train stations if possible. Their social media statement read: “We ask all travelers who can do so to postpone their trip and not go to the station… Our teams are fully mobilized in stations, in the call centers, and onboard to ensure that all passengers are informed and can reach their destination.”
French government officials have come out with strong statements condemning the suspected acts of vandalism, with Transport Minister Patrice Vergriete saying these “criminal actions” will “compromise many French people’s departure on holiday,” as well as confirming that the attacks were coordinated and targeted strategic points on the rail network. Amélie Oudéa-Castéra, Sports Minister, also came out expressing her dismay with the situation and said that “to target the games is to target France.”
So far no group has claimed responsibility for the attacks. However, the timing of these attacks and their coordinated nature suggest a deliberate attempt to disrupt the Olympic Games.
