UPDATE: France‘s national rail company SNCF has informed the BBC that emergency repairs are now allowing limited services between Paris and Brittany, as well as to southwestern destinations including Bordeaux and Toulouse. Rail travel is also resuming between Paris and Lille and Strasbourg, though delays of up to two hours are expected for all TGV services.
French transport minister Patrice Vergriete, in an interview with TF1, confirmed that incendiary devices were found but declined to speculate on who might be behind the attacks which were coordinated across four different sites. Only one of them was prevented. Paris prosecutors have launched an investigation into the case.
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Eurostar’s chief commercial officer, François Le Doze, remained confident that most U.K. passengers would still be able to reach Paris for the Olympic Games despite the disruptions.
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The SNCF confirms that three high-speed lines (Atlantique, Nord, and Est) have been affected, while an attack on a fourth line running south was foiled. The company expects 250,000 passengers to be affected today and almost 800,000 across the weekend.
Paris police chief Laurent Nunez announced plans to deploy additional officers to crowded train stations in response to the SNCF incidents.
Several French rail worker unions have released a joint statement condemning the attack on the high-speed rail network, describing it as a “blow to the SNCF public service.”
PREVIOUSLY: France’s national rail company SNCF reported Friday that high-speed trains across the country were affected by several “malicious acts,” causing significant disruptions on the day of the Paris Olympics opening ceremony.
The incidents, described by SNCF as a series of coordinated overnight events, impacted travel to and from London via the Channel Tunnel, as well as to Belgium and across western, northern and eastern France, per a report from the Associated Press.
Government officials addressed the situation hours before the Olympics’ commencement, though no immediate connection to the Games was established. The national police have launched an investigation into the occurrences, with French media outlets reporting a fire on a busy western route.
Transport minister Patrice Vergriete took to social media to condemn the “criminal incidents,” stating that SNCF is working to restore service. Sports Minister Amélie Oudéa-Castera expressed concern about the impact on travelers and athletes, emphasizing efforts to ensure transportation for Olympic delegations.
“Playing against the Games is playing against France, against your own camp, against your country,” Oudéa-Castera said on BFM television, without specifying the perpetrators.
Paris Police Chief Laurent Nunez announced plans to deploy additional officers to crowded train stations in response to the SNCF incidents.
At London’s St. Pancras station, Eurostar passengers were advised of potential hour-long delays due to overhead power supply issues, adding to the transportation challenges on this high-profile day for France.
Meanwhile, the PA news agency reported that several Eurostar trains have been canceled and others delayed because of “coordinated acts of malice” affecting the train line between Paris and Lille in France, quoting the rail firm.
