Sabotage strikes French rail Network on eve of Olympics
he attacks could disrupt travel for athletes, officials, and spectators, adding to the already complex security challenges
Paris – A series of coordinated attacks on France’s high-speed TGV rail network threw the country into chaos just hours before the opening ceremony of the Paris Olympics. The sabotage, which targeted signal boxes along major lines, left hundreds of thousands of passengers stranded and disrupted travel across the nation.
The attacks, carried out by unknown assailants, come as France is under a massive security operation involving tens of thousands of police and soldiers to protect the Games. While authorities have not officially named any suspects, initial investigations point towards either hardline leftist militants or environmental activists.
The timing of the sabotage has raised concerns about its potential impact on the Olympics, which is expected to draw a global audience of billions. The attacks could disrupt travel for athletes, officials, and spectators, adding to the already complex security challenges faced by French authorities.
"Everything leads us to believe that these were criminal acts," Transport Minister Patrice Vergriete told reporters at the Gare du Nor
The SNCF, France’s state-owned railway operator, has urged passengers to postpone their journeys as repairs are underway. The company estimates that up to 800,000 people have been affected by the disruptions.
As the nation grapples with the aftermath of the attacks, questions remain about the motives behind the sabotage and the potential implications for the upcoming Games.
More than 300,000 spectators are expected to line the banks of the River Seine when the athletes parade through the heart of Paris on a flotilla of barges and riverboats, part of an extravagant opening ceremony that will be watched by a global audience of billions.
Source: Reuters