Arson & vandalism attacks put a halt to rail travel in Paris ahead of Olympic opening ceremony

Hundreds of thousands of travellers expecting to take the rail system linking Paris to the rest of France and neighbouring countries were stopped in their tracks today (July 26) when a series of coordinated “malicious attacks” upended the high-speed train lines.

According to the Associated Press, officials said the arson attacks and other forms of vandalism that happened just hours before the opening ceremony of the 2024 Olympic Games were an attempt to throw a wrench in the sporting celebration.

Details are still being clarified, but authorities said they found at least three fires along French state railway company SNCF’s lines.

Disruptions particularly affected Paris’ Montparnasse station.

SNCF said in a post on X that “several high-speed trains are being diverted or cancelled,” and that all travellers “can cancel their journey free of charge, be refunded, or modify their journey free of charge.”

By the afternoon its services had partially resumed, but widespread disruption continued.

According to CNN, there were no immediate claims of responsibility for the attacks.

Transport Minister Patrice Vergriete said people had to flee fires and incendiary devices were discovered.

“Everything indicates that these are criminal fires,” Vergriete said, according to the Associated Press.

French Prime Minister Gabriel Attal also confirmed that intelligence services are trying to find the perpetrators of “acts of sabotage” that he called “prepared and coordinated.”

The Guardian reported that Paris public prosecutor Laure Beccuau said a formal investigation had been launched into “deliberate damage of property likely to harm the fundamental interests of the nation” and criminal association.

According to the Associated Press, the crimes could carry 15- to 20-year prison sentences.

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