Service on three high-speed train lines in France was disrupted on Friday due to arson attacks, causing travel chaos on the day of the Olympics’ Opening Ceremony. The national railway company, S.N.C.F., reported that deliberate fires were set on the Atlantic, Northern, and Eastern lines to damage installations, leading to severe disruptions in traffic.
The S.N.C.F. advised travelers to postpone their trips if possible as many trains were canceled. Patrice Vergriete, France’s transportation minister, mentioned that coordinated malicious acts targeted high-speed rail lines, affecting travel plans into the weekend.
Specifically, malicious acts occurred near Arras on the line between Paris and Lille, and near Courtalain connecting Tours and Le Mans to Paris. A potential malicious act was also thwarted on the Paris-southeastern France line. Firefighters responded to the incidents, which caused delays of 30 to 90 minutes.
The disruptions added to the already tense atmosphere in Paris, where security measures had been heightened ahead of the opening ceremony. Thousands of police officers, counterterrorism units, and the military were deployed across the city to secure Olympic venues, tourist spots, and transportation hubs.
Weeks ago, authorities cordoned off sections of the Seine to ensure the safety of athletes participating in the ceremony. The event featured a grand flotilla of boats on the river, attracting hundreds of thousands of spectators amidst the heightened security measures.
