July 26th 2024.
Early on Friday morning, a group of arsonists launched an attack on France's high-speed rail network. This caused major disruptions for approximately 800,000 people across Europe, including athletes who were on their way to the opening ceremony of the Olympic Games. The attacks were carefully coordinated and targeted remote locations far from the capital city of Paris, with the aim of cutting off train routes into the city from all directions. These attacks were predominantly aimed at critical signalling cables for the TGV system, leading to blazes on three separate lines before dawn.
The fires caused widespread disruptions, with many trains being delayed or cancelled. However, thanks to the quick actions of rail agents in Vergigny, a potential arson attempt was thwarted. The suspects were scared off and no damage was done. Despite speculation, French authorities have not publicly commented on who might be behind the attacks or their motives. Prime Minister Gabriel Attal assured the public that intelligence services were working diligently to find the perpetrators, whom he described as having "premeditated" and "calculated" their actions.
The CEO of the national railway company SNCF, Jean-Pierre Farandou, expressed concern about the impact of these attacks on the French people. He stated that the chosen locations for the fires were specifically aimed at causing the most disruption, as each fire cut off two train lines. Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo also reassured the public that the damage would not affect the opening ceremony and there were no reports of injuries.
In response to these attacks, prosecutors in Paris have opened a national investigation, stating that the crimes include property damage that threatens the country's "fundamental interests." The penalties for these crimes could result in up to 20 years of imprisonment. It is unclear at this time who is responsible for these acts of sabotage or if they are directly related to the Olympic Games.
The disruption of train travel also affected athletes who were on their way to the opening ceremony. Two trains carrying athletes on the western line were stopped hours before the ceremony, causing delays and frustration. Even German athletes were affected, with two having to turn back in Belgium due to the closures.
The repairs for the damages caused by the fires are currently underway, with police conducting forensic tests at the scene. According to Farandou, the repair process is meticulous and involves fixing each cable individually. French Transport Minister Patrice Vergriete announced that train traffic has begun to resume in the afternoon.
These attacks occurred at a time of heightened security measures in Paris, as the city prepared for the 2024 Olympic Games. German Chancellor Olaf Scholz condemned the violence, stating that it is unacceptable to disrupt such a peaceful event. French Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin had previously stated that approximately 1000 people suspected of possible interference in the Games have been blocked from attending, including those suspected of radicalisation or having criminal records.
The disruptions to train travel were expected to continue throughout the weekend as repairs are still ongoing. The SNCF group has mobilized hundreds of extra personnel to work on fixing the network as quickly as possible. They have advised all passengers to postpone their journey and have stated that all tickets are exchangeable and refundable. Eurostar, the high-speed train service between the UK and France, has also been affected, with one in four trains being cancelled this weekend.
The Paris prosecutor's office has opened an investigation into the attacks, listing four separate charges related to property damage and organized crime. These charges can result in up to 20 years of imprisonment and a fine of €300,000. The security measures in Paris have been increased in recent weeks, with approximately 35,000 police officers and 10,000 soldiers being deployed each day during the Games. Despite these challenges, authorities remain confident that the opening ceremony will be safe.
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