Paris 2024 chaos: Saboteurs cripple French high-speed rail network just before Olympics

In a dramatic turn of events, France’s high-speed rail network was severely disrupted by sabotage just hours before the Paris 2024 Olympics Opening Ceremony. The French national rail operator, SNCF, has now announced that repairs have been completed, with services resuming almost normally as the Games continue.

French Rail Network Restored After Sabotage

Two days after the attack, SNCF declared that the main rail line’s operations were “practically normal.” By Sunday, three out of four high-speed TGV trains on the line north from Paris were back in service. The damage, inflicted on Friday, July 26, had brought the rail network to a halt, causing significant disruption just as France was preparing to showcase its Olympic capabilities.

The sabotage targeted crucial cables designed to ensure train safety, which were set ablaze and dismantled by the perpetrators. This attack not only crippled the rail network but also raised concerns about the security of the Games.

Authorities Investigate Potential Causes

The French government has launched an extensive investigation into the incident, but no group or individual has yet claimed responsibility. Given the scale and precision of the sabotage, officials are considering whether this was a coordinated attack. The French Interior Minister, Gérald Darmanin, indicated that while it is too early to determine the exact origin of the attack, the investigation is focusing on both domestic and foreign possibilities. There is speculation that leftist and environmentalist groups may be involved, although no concrete evidence has been found to support these claims.

Darmanin remarked, “Who is responsible? Either it’s from within, or it’s been ordered from abroad; it’s too early to say. We have uncovered a certain number of elements which lead us to believe that we will know fairly quickly who is responsible.”

Impact on Passengers and Olympic Preparations

The disruption affected around 800,000 passengers, including two of the four trains transporting Olympic athletes. The incident cast a shadow over the grand opening of the Games, highlighting vulnerabilities in critical infrastructure. Despite the challenges, SNCF’s rapid response and repair efforts have restored a degree of normalcy, allowing the Olympics to proceed with minimal further disruption.

As the Paris 2024 Olympics continue, the focus will likely shift to ensuring the security and smooth operation of the Games, with authorities working diligently to prevent any future incidents.