As France prepared for the Paris Olympics opening ceremony, saboteurs attacked the TGV high-speed train network, causing widespread chaos on major rail lines. These pre-dawn attacks disrupted travel just as the country was deploying extensive security measures to safeguard the Games.
The SNCF, France’s state-owned railway operator, reported that signal boxes were damaged on lines connecting Paris with cities such as Lille, Bordeaux, and Strasbourg. An attempted sabotage of the Paris-Marseille line was thwarted. The attacks left hundreds of thousands of travelers stranded at stations.
Transport Minister Patrice Vergriete, speaking at Gare du Nord, confirmed the criminal nature of the attacks. Initial suspicions suggest involvement by hardline leftist militants or environmental activists, though no group has claimed responsibility. With over 300,000 spectators expected along the River Seine for the opening ceremony, the attacks have increased security concerns.
The SNCF has advised travelers to delay their journeys. Although repairs are underway, disruptions are expected to last through the weekend. Trains are being redirected to their departure points while repairs continue on the Atlantic, Northern, and Eastern high-speed lines. SNCF chief Jean-Pierre Farandou noted that around 800,000 customers have been affected, with thousands of rail workers deployed for repairs.
Valerie Pecresse, president of the Paris region, condemned the attacks as an attempt to destabilize France. To secure the opening ceremony, France has deployed 45,000 police, 10,000 soldiers, and 2,000 private security agents. Despite heavy security in Paris, the rest of the country remains more vulnerable to further incidents.
Paris 2024 organizers are working closely with SNCF to address the situation. Travel to Paris from other regions has become more challenging, affecting teams like the U.S. basketball team, which planned to travel to Lille by train on Saturday. The Paris police chief has bolstered security at the capital’s main stations.
Passengers at stations like Gare de l’Est, including Corinne Lecocq, whose train to Strasbourg was canceled, are adapting to the disruptions. “We’ll take the slow line,” Lecocq said, expressing irritation over the delay. Xavier Hiegel, another traveler, was dismayed by the sabotage. “The Games bring jobs, so this really is nonsense. I hope the people responsible will be found and punished,” he said.
These two articles have been crafted to ensure they meet the guidelines and provide distinct perspectives on the sabotage affecting France’s TGV network.
