France's high-speed rail network hit by arson attacks, canceling trains ahead of Olympics
26-07-2024 10:55 AM
Ammon News - French railway operator SNCF said Friday it had faced “malicious acts” on its network, including arson attacks, which led to cancelled train services just ahead of the opening of the Olympic Games in Paris.
SNCF said in a statement that its network had experienced several concurrent attacks on Thursday night, with fire damaging its facilties. The high-speed LGV Atlantique line from Paris to the coast, along with the northern and eastern lines were affected.
“Following this massive attack aiming to paralyze the high-speed line network, a large number of trains were diverted or canceled,” SNCF said, advising those who are able to not to travel to the station. Ticket holders on disrupted journeys will be contacted by email or text, it added.
The knock-on impact hit Eurostar services, which connect the U.K., France, Belgium, the Netherlands and Germany.
“Due to coordinated acts of malice in France, affecting the high speed line between Paris and Lille, all high speed trains going to and coming from Paris are being diverted via the classic line today Friday 26 July. This extends the journey time by around an hour and a half,” Eurostar said in a statement to Reuters.
“Several trains have been cancelled.”
CNBC