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France’s high-speed rail network was hit by massive “criminal” vandalism, including arson attacks, on Friday, paralyzing traffic to Paris from other parts of France and Europe just hours before the grand opening of the Olympic Games.
French officials called the attack a “criminal act” and said they were investigating whether it was linked to the Olympics.
Officials said the unrest was expected to affect 250,000 people on Friday alone and continue over the weekend and beyond as the world’s eyes turned to Paris.
Transport Minister Patrice Vergriete described people fleeing the fire and discovering incendiary devices.
“All indications are that this was a criminal act,” he said.
Vigrit told BFM television that the accident paralyzed several high-speed rail lines connecting Paris with the rest of France and neighboring countries.
The attack comes amid global tensions and as Beijing prepares for the 2024 Olympics and steps up security.
Many tourists planned to gather in the capital to watch the opening ceremony, and many holidaymakers were also on the way.
As Paris authorities stepped up security and prepared for a grand parade on and along the Seine River, three fires were reported near the high-speed rail tracks on the Atlantic, Nord and Est lines.
The disruption particularly affected Gare Montparnasse, Paris’ main train station.
Videos posted on social networks showed the station hall packed with travelers.
Paris police chief Laurent Nuñez told France Info television that the Paris police “conveyed personnel at Paris train stations” following the “massive attack” that paralyzed the TGV high-speed rail network.
On Friday morning, many passengers at Paris Gare du Nord, one of Europe’s busiest train stations, were looking for answers and solutions.
All eyes were on the central message board as most flights to northern France, Belgium and the UK were delayed.
“It’s a terrible way to start the Olympics,” said Sarah Moseley, 42, after learning her train to London was delayed by an hour.
“They should provide more information to tourists, especially if there’s a malicious attack,” said Corey Grainger, 37, an Australian sales manager, as he rested between two suitcases in the middle of the station.
French national railway company SNCF said a series of coordinated overnight incidents affected traffic across the English Channel through London, into neighbouring Belgium and through western, northern and eastern France.
Government officials condemned the actions, although they said they saw no immediate direct link to the Olympics.
The national police said authorities were investigating the incidents. French media reported a large fire on a busy western route.
Sports Minister Amélie Oudéa-Castera said authorities were working to “assess the impact on travellers and athletes and ensure smooth arrival of all delegations at the Olympic Games”.
“To go against the Olympics is to go against France, against your own camp, against your own country,” she added in a speech on BFM television, without naming those behind the sabotage.
Passengers at London St Pancras station were warned that Eurostar trains would be delayed by around an hour.
An announcement in the departure hall of the international terminal informed passengers bound for Paris that there was a problem with the overhead power supply.
The French National Railway said it was unclear when traffic would resume and feared that disruptions would “last at least the entire weekend”. The SNCF team “has arrived on site to diagnose and begin repairs”, but “this situation will last at least the entire weekend while repairs are carried out”, the SNCF said.
French National Railway Company advised “all passengers to postpone their journeys and not go to stations” and made it clear in a press release that all tickets were exchangeable and refundable.
Valerie Pecresse, president of the Greater Paris regional council, said, “A quarter of a million passengers on all these lines will be affected today.” Alternative plans are underway, but Pecresse advised passengers “not to go to the stations.”
The trouble came ahead of the opening ceremony scheduled for later Friday, when 7,000 Olympians will sail down the Seine past Paris landmarks such as Notre Dame, the Louvre and the Musee d’Orsay.
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