France investigates 'massive attack' on fast train network

France's national rail operator SNCF said the crippling of the country's high-speed TGV rail network by arsonists on Friday points to a plot to do "serious harm."

The French transport system suffered severe disruptions from the acts of vandalism, which came on the same day as the Olympic Games opened in Paris.

SNCF CEO Jean-Pierre Farandou said those behind the attackers had carefully chosen which parts of the rail network to target.

"The places were specially chosen to have the most serious impact since each fire cut off two [rail] lines," Farandou said, adding that around 800,000 people were affected.

The rail company said in a statement Friday evening that it would ensure transport for all Olympic delegations, without elaborating.

What happened on Friday?

SNCF said three arson attacks overnight had destroyed cabling boxes at strategic junctions on the rail network.

Traffic on the high-speed line between Lille and Paris was stopped after "a malicious act in the Arras area."

On the route between Paris and eastern France, the company said vandalism between Metz and Nancy was seriously disrupting traffic.

Traffic was also cut on the Atlantic line, after sabotage where the tracks divide for Brittany and southwestern France.

Attempts to sabotage the southeastern line from Paris were thwarted.

"Following this massive attack aimed at paralyzing the high-speed line network, a large number of trains were diverted or canceled," SNCF tweeted earlier in the day.

The operator added that the situation would last "at least all weekend while repairs are conducted."

Eurostar, meanwhile, said it would cancel a quarter of all its services on the Paris-Brussels to London network on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, asking passengers to postpone travel where possible.

Passengers in other EU countries stranded

Commuters and holidaymakers trying to reach Paris from other European countries were caught up in the disruption after their rail services were also hit by cancellations or delays.

Rodger Dalton was transiting through Brussels from New Zealand to try and watch his niece compete in the Olympics on Saturday when he learned his train was canceled.

"We're trying to figure out our next best step," he told DW. "We've got family there already so we're trying to get there .. hopefully we can get there in time!"

Jolie, a mother of four trying to get her family back home to Paris after vacationing in Brussels, saw her train from Brussels delayed. "It's difficult with the kids," she said. "We don't have a choice, we'll just have to wait."

Who might be behind the disruption?

French Prime Minister Gabriel Attal wrote on the social media platform X that the country's intelligence services had been mobilized to track down the perpetrators.

He characterized the vandalism as "acts of sabotage," which were "prepared and coordinated."

Prosecutors in Paris opened a national investigation into the incidents, saying the crimes included property damage threatening the nation's "fundamental interests."

Local media said the attacks appeared to have been coordinated by individuals with a knowledge of the rail system.

However, suspicion might also fall on Russia. French President Emmanuel Macron has previously said Moscow was planning to target the Games.

Police in Paris arrested a Russian man this week, saying he was suspected of "organizing events likely to lead to destabilization during the Olympic Games."

The Kremlin said Friday it hadn't been informed of the arrest.

French Transport Minister Patrice Vergriete described the discovery of incendiary devices and people fleeing from the scene of fires. "Everything indicates that these are criminal fires," he said.

Security forces in France are on full alert to prevent terror attacks from marring the first French Summer Olympics in 100 years, and those numbers were bolstered following Friday's sabotage acts.

What should passengers do?

SNCF said a large number of trains had been diverted or canceled.

"Affected travelers will be contacted by email or SMS," it posted in a message on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter.

"We ask all travelers who can to postpone their trip and not to go to the station. All tickets for these disrupted journeys are exchangeable and refundable."

Services to northern France, Belgium and the United Kingdom were delayed.

German rail operator Deutsche Bahn warned of disruptions to its long-distance rail network to France.

"Due to damage caused by vandalism, Deutsche Bahn's long-distance services between France and Germany are subject in the short term to cancellations and delays," it said in a notice on its website.

Vergriete, meanwhile, said rail traffic was beginning to resume in the afternoon, especially on the Atlantic line.

Macron welcomes world leaders

World leaders began arriving at Macron's Elysee Palace office Friday afternoon, ahead of the opening ceremony in the evening.

Macron and his wife, Brigitte, welcomed the guests in the courtyard of the Elysee, for a reception for around 85 heads of state or government. 

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, who is also in Paris for the opening ceremony, also denounced the vandalism.

"This is something that is absolutely condemnable. To disrupt such a celebration of peace with acts of violence can never be accepted and demands the most resolute rejection," Scholz said on a visit to the German Embassy in Paris. 

He said he hoped "the French authorities will soon be successful in identifying the perpetrators."

mm, lo,rc/rm (AP, AFP, dpa, Reuters)