British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, on Friday, had to alter his travel plans to attend the Paris Olympics’ opening ceremony due to sabotage attacks on France’s high-speed rail network.
The attacks, described by officials as premeditated acts of “sabotage,” caused widespread disruption just hours before the highly anticipated event.
Sabotage and Impact on the Rail Network
The arson attacks targeted critical sections of France’s Atlantic, northern, and eastern rail lines, leading to significant cancellations and delays.
Prime Minister Gabriel Attal confirmed that the attacks were well-coordinated and aimed at vital parts of the rail infrastructure. Fires were set in conduits carrying fibre-optic cables that are essential for relaying safety information and controlling rail switches.
Jean-Pierre Farandou, CEO of SNCF, the national rail operator, detailed the extensive damage, noting that around 800,000 passengers would be affected over the weekend. The disruptions were particularly severe due to the convergence of the Olympic Games and peak summer holiday travel.
High-Profile Travel Disruptions
Among those affected was UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, who was scheduled to travel via Eurostar from London to Paris for the Olympics’ opening ceremony. Due to the rail network chaos, Starmer opted to fly to Paris instead, marking his first visit to France since being elected earlier this month.
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Eurostar announced that one in four services would be cancelled over the weekend. Trains that did run had to use regular lines instead of high-speed routes, adding up to 90 minutes to the typical Paris-London journey time.
Response and Repair Efforts
Repairing the damage to the rail network is a labour-intensive process requiring hundreds of workers to manually fix the damaged cables. Transport Minister Patrice Vergriete reported that partial services had resumed by early afternoon, with one in three trains operating from Paris’s Montparnasse station. Full normal service is expected to be restored by Monday, July 29.
In light of the attacks, Paris’s RATP transport network has increased its security measures. Meanwhile, long-distance ride-sharing service Blablacar experienced a 150-percent surge in reservations on Friday, reflecting the significant travel disruption.
Investigation and Legal Actions
The attacks have triggered a major investigation by France’s intelligence services. Farandou revealed that railway workers had spotted unauthorised individuals during night maintenance, who fled when police were called. Incendiary devices were found at the scene, indicating a high level of premeditation.
Prime Minister Attal suggested that the attackers had intimate knowledge of the rail network, targeting sensitive sites with precision. A security source noted that the method of sabotage resembled previous attacks by extreme-left groups, similar to incidents in Germany last year.
Paris prosecutor Laure Beccuau has opened a probe into the sabotage, investigating the attempt to undermine “fundamental national interests” and the damage caused by an organised gang. The investigation will also look into attacks on automated data processing systems.
Broader Implications
The sabotage attacks have highlighted the vulnerabilities of critical infrastructure, particularly during major international events like the Olympics. The disruptions serve as a stark reminder of the potential for organised sabotage to cause widespread chaos and necessitate heightened security measures.
As France works to restore its rail network and ensure the smooth running of the Olympics, the incident underscores the importance of vigilance and preparedness in safeguarding against such threats.
