In a shocking turn of events, France's high-speed rail network was thrown into chaos mere hours before the commencement of the Paris Olympics.
A "massive attack" crippled the network, leaving hundreds of thousands of passengers stranded, according to official reports.
As reported by NBC News, French Prime Minister Gabriel Attal took to social media to express his concern over the incident, stating that the country's intelligence services and law enforcement agencies were on the hunt for the culprits. "The consequences for the rail network are massive and serious," he warned.
The national rail network, SNFC, confirmed that a series of "coordinated" arson attacks had wreaked havoc on its facilities and services. A further "malicious act" was thwarted on the LGV Sud-Est line, which links Paris and Lyon. The incident, described as a "massive attack," was projected to affect at least 250,000 passengers on Friday alone, with an estimated 800,000 passengers expected to be impacted over the weekend.
Jean-Pierre Farandou, SNCF chairman and CEO, revealed that fiber optic cables at a minimum of three locations were set ablaze. These cables were integral to signal boxes and other rail infrastructure. Farandou suggested that the attacks were coordinated with the aim of causing significant disruption to the country's rail network.
The Paris public prosecutor's office has launched an investigation into the incident, with charges including damage to property likely to harm the nation's fundamental interest. This charge carries a potential sentence of up to 15 years imprisonment and a hefty fine of 225,000 euro, equivalent to around $244,200. French Transport Minister Patrice Vergriete echoed these sentiments, stating that "coordinated malicious acts" had targeted several lines and would "seriously disrupt traffic until this weekend."
The disruptions seemed to be simultaneous and intentional, according to Vergriete. However, the identity of the perpetrators remains unknown. The incident has left passengers like Maliss Davy, 23, scrambling to adjust their travel plans. Davy had intended to travel from Paris to Nantes for a friend's birthday but was informed via the SNCF app that her train had been delayed due to an "act of vandalism." The train was later cancelled, leaving her and many others stranded and frustrated.
Despite the chaos, trains at Gare du Nord appeared to be operating normally by early Friday afternoon. SNFC trains were seen arriving and departing the station, with travel monitors displaying "on time" statuses. The rail network is working tirelessly to restore service and has urged passengers to postpone their travel plans. All tickets will be exchangeable and refundable, and passengers will be kept informed of updates via text.
In a separate incident, the Basel Mulhouse Freiburg Airport in eastern France was briefly evacuated due to a bomb scare. However, police confirmed that flights resumed shortly afterwards. Meanwhile, Eurostar announced that all high-speed trains between Paris and the northwestern city of Lille were being rerouted from the high-speed line to the slower, classic line.
As the Olympics start, France grapples with these unexpected disruptions. The incidents serve as a stark reminder of the importance of security and vigilance, particularly during high-profile events such as the Olympics. The nation's law enforcement and intelligence services continue their relentless pursuit of the culprits, striving to restore normalcy and ensure the safety of the public.
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