French rail lines disrupted by ‘coordinated sabotage’ ahead of Paris Olympics Opening Ceremony

YEREVAN, JULY 26, ARMENPRESS. France’s high-speed rail network was hit by "malicious acts" including arson attacks that have disrupted the transport system, train operator SNCF said Friday, hours before the opening ceremony of the Paris Olympics, France24 reports.

A source close to the investigation told AFP the attacks were coordinated acts of "sabotage".

"This is a massive attack on a large scale to paralyze the TGV network," SNCF told AFP, adding that many routes will have to be cancelled.

"SNCF was the victim of several simultaneous malicious acts overnight," the national train operator said, adding that the attacks affected its Atlantic, northern and eastern lines.

"Arson attacks were started to damage our facilities," it said, adding that traffic on the affected lines was "heavily disrupted" and the situation would last through the weekend as repairs are conducted.

Trains were being diverted to different tracks "but we will have to cancel a large number of them", France24 adds, citing the statement.

The southeastern line was not affected as "a malicious act was foiled".

SNCF urged passengers to postpone their trips and stay away from train stations.

It said the attacks affected some 800,000 passengers. 

Eurostar also said its rail services between London and Paris had been disrupted by the acts of vandalism, resulting in several cancellations and longer journey times, the report adds.

According to France24, the attacks were launched as Paris was under heavy security ahead of the opening ceremony of the Summer Olympics, with 300,000 spectators and an audience of VIPs expected at the event. The parade on Friday evening will see up to 7,500 competitors travel down a six-kilometre (four-mile) stretch of the river Seine on a flotilla of 85 boats. It will be the first time a Summer Olympics has opened outside the main athletics stadium.