By Barnabas Augustine
France’s high-speed rail network, the backbone of its transport system, has been brought to its knees by a coordinated act of sabotage just hours before the Paris Olympics opening ceremony.
The national rail operator, SNCF, reported a series of malicious attacks, including arson, targeting its infrastructure early on Friday morning.
The damage inflicted on the Atlantic, northern, and eastern lines has been severe, with widespread disruption expected to continue throughout the weekend.
The timing of the attack is deeply concerning, given the heightened security for the Olympics.
With hundreds of thousands of spectators and dignitaries descending on Paris for the opening ceremony, the incident has sparked alarm.
The decision to hold the Olympic parade on the Seine River, rather than a stadium, was already seen as a bold choice.
Now, with the rail network in chaos, security concerns have intensified.
The public has been severely inconvenienced by the sabotage. Passengers at Montparnasse station, a major Paris hub, faced hours-long delays and uncertainty. Many were forced to abandon their travel plans altogether.
As the situation unfolds, French authorities are grappling with the twin challenges of restoring rail services and maintaining security for the Olympics.
France’s high-speed rail network, the backbone of its transport system, has been brought to its knees by a coordinated act of sabotage just hours before the Paris Olympics opening ceremony.
The national rail operator, SNCF, reported a series of malicious attacks, including arson, targeting its infrastructure early on Friday morning.
The damage inflicted on the Atlantic, northern, and eastern lines has been severe, with widespread disruption expected to continue throughout the weekend.
The timing of the attack is deeply concerning, given the heightened security for the Olympics.
With hundreds of thousands of spectators and dignitaries descending on Paris for the opening ceremony, the incident has sparked alarm.
The decision to hold the Olympic parade on the Seine River, rather than a stadium, was already seen as a bold choice.
Now, with the rail network in chaos, security concerns have intensified.
The public has been severely inconvenienced by the sabotage. Passengers at Montparnasse station, a major Paris hub, faced hours-long delays and uncertainty. Many were forced to abandon their travel plans altogether.
As the situation unfolds, French authorities are grappling with the twin challenges of restoring rail services and maintaining security for the Olympics.