The Paris Olympics opening ceremony was disrupted by coordinated arson on a French railway

Major disruptions in travel

On the day of the opening ceremony of the Paris Olympics, coordinated arson attacks on France's high-speed rail lines caused major disruptions to traffic, affecting thousands of commuters. The fires, described as "criminal", broke out around 4 a.m. local time in strategic locations, causing chaos for Olympics-goers and vacationers alike.

Impact on transport

These attacks targeted key signal cables in the tubes, severely affecting the three main high-speed lines: the Atlantic, the Northern and the Eastern. This led to significant delays and cancellations, with Eurostar trains to and from Paris delayed by at least 90 minutes. In addition, many Paris metro stations near the ceremony site were temporarily closed, making travel even more difficult.

Security issues

In response, French authorities stepped up security, deploying tens of thousands of police, anti-terrorist units and military personnel across Paris. The attacks have raised concerns about security at the Games, but officials insist the opening ceremony will go ahead as planned with heightened security.

Official statements

French Transport Minister Patrice Vergriet and the head of the national railway company SNCF, Jean-Pierre Farandou, confirmed the deliberate nature of the attacks and assured the public that repairs were ongoing. They advised travelers to postpone their trips if possible.

Unanswered questions

No group has claimed responsibility for the attacks, and the investigation is ongoing. The incident has sparked fears that it resembles past terror attacks in France, but officials have not yet classified it as terrorism.

As France grapples with the immediate aftermath of the attacks, the focus remains on securing the Paris Olympics. Travelers are advised to keep abreast of transport news and plan accordingly.

Additional source of information Axios  

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