PARIS. France’s TGV high-speed train network was targeted in a series of coordinated arson attacks early Friday morning, causing significant travel disruptions and highlighting security vulnerabilities just hours before the Paris Olympics opening ceremony.
The attacks, which damaged signal substations and cables along key rail lines connecting Paris with major cities including Lille, Bordeaux, and Strasbourg, have led to widespread chaos. Another assault on the Paris-Marseille line was reportedly thwarted. The SNCF, France’s state-owned railway operator, is working to repair the damage, but travel disruptions are expected to persist through the weekend.
The coordinated nature of the sabotage has led to initial suspicions of involvement by leftist militants or environmental activists, though there has been no evidence to confirm these claims. The Paris prosecutor’s office has tasked its organized crime unit and the anti-terrorist sub-directorate (SDAT) with overseeing the investigation.
Prime Minister Gabriel Attal commented on the situation, saying, “What we know, what we see, is that this operation was prepared, coordinated, that nerve centres were targeted, which shows a certain knowledge of the network to know where to strike.”
The timing of the attacks has intensified anxiety ahead of the Olympics opening ceremony scheduled for later today. Additionally, operations at the Basel-Mulhouse airport were briefly halted due to a bomb alert.
International Olympic Committee President Thomas Bach expressed confidence in French authorities, stating, “I don’t have concerns.”
With more than 300,000 spectators expected to gather along the River Seine for the opening ceremony, and billions anticipated to watch globally, France has deployed 45,000 police officers, 10,000 soldiers, and 2,000 private security agents for the event. Snipers and drones will be part of the extensive security measures.
The TGV attacks have left hundreds of thousands stranded. Eurostar services between London and Paris have been rerouted to slower tracks, and Deutsche Bahn has warned of potential disruptions to long-distance services. SNCF has urged travelers to postpone their journeys and is working to repair the affected lines.
Xavier Hiegel, a traveler at Gare de L’Est, expressed disbelief at the sabotage, stating, “The Games bring jobs so this really is nonsense. I hope the people responsible will be found and punished.”
SNCF chief Jean-Pierre Farandou reported that around 800,000 passengers have been affected. Paris Region President Valerie Pecresse described the attacks as an attempt to “destabilize France.”
Brigitte Dupont, a Parisian, lamented the situation: “Today is the opening of the Olympic Games, a huge event that was supposed to be magnificent, and this is spoiling people’s joy.”
Paris 2024 officials are collaborating with SNCF to address the situation, as the attacks create additional hurdles for those traveling to the capital for the Games.
Si Venus L Peñaflor ay naging editor-in-chief ng Newsworld, isang lokal na pahayagan ng Laguna. Publisher din siya ng Daystar Gazette at Tutubi News Magazine. Siya ay isa ring pintor at doll face designer ng Ninay Dolls, ang unang Manikang Pilipino. Kasali siya sa DesignCrowd sa rank na #305 sa 640,000 graphic designers sa buong daigdig. Kasama din siya sa unang Local TV Broadcast sa Laguna na Beyond Manila. Aktibong kasapi siya ng San Pablo Jaycees Senate bilang isang JCI Senator.
