A serious disruption has been reported to Frances high-speed train network after multiple acts of vandalism hit the countrys busiest rail lines just hours before the opening of the Paris Olympics 2024 on Friday. According to the sources, the attacks are marked as coordinated sabotage to disrupt travel ahead of international games. The timing of this incident is likely to exacerbate the impact, given the increased travel and security concerns surrounding such a major event.According to the local media, the SNCF has asked the travellers are postpone their trip and not to go to the station. Meanwhile, the repair works are underway but the traffic will be severely disrupted until the weekend. Other trains have been sent back to the departure station.Taking it to the official X handle, the country said, Last night, SNCF was the victim of several concurrent malicious acts affecting the LGV Atlantique, Nord & Est. Arson attacks were started to damage our facilities. The South East LGV is not affected, a malicious act has been foiled.In a string of messages, it also said, Our teams are on-site to carry out the diagnosis and begin repairs. TGV traffic on the Atlantic, North and East axes is very disrupted: some trains are diverted, a large number of trains are canceled.SNCF a été victime cette nuit de plusieurs actes de malveillance concomitants touchant les LGV Atlantique, Nord & Est. Des incendies volontaires ont été déclenchés pour endommager nos installations.La LGV Sud Est nest pas touchée, un acte de malveillance a été déjoué.— SNCF Réseau (@SNCFReseau) July 26, 2024Consequences of the incidentWhen major infrastructure like the high-speed train network is affected, it can have significant ripple effects, including delays for travellers, disruptions to daily commutes, and potential economic impacts. Given that this is happening alongside the Olympics, it could add an extra layer of complexity to the situation, affecting both locals and international visitors.Meanwhile, the government has condemned the criminal attack just before the opening ceremony of the Paris Olympics 2024.The post reads, Coordinated malicious acts targeted several TGV lines last night and will seriously disrupt traffic until this weekend. I strongly condemn these criminal actions which will compromise the vacation departures of many French people. A big thank you to the #SNCF teams, on the bridge to restore traffic conditions as quickly as possible.According to the sources, the train services to Belgium and London also got disrupted. Meanwhile, the National agencies have started investigating the case. No immediate claims have been made in the attacks and there is no indication that these attacks are motivationally activated.
