Rail traffic in France remains disrupted on Saturday following a meticulously planned, large-scale attack on the high-speed rail network shortly before the opening ceremony of the Paris Olympics.
While the situation has improved considerably, disruption continues with two-thirds of the high-speed trains (TGV) running on the Brittany (north-west) and South-West routes and 80% on the North route, all with delays of one to two hours. However, no interruption is expected on the Eastern high-speed line.
SNCF expects further issues on the Northern route on Sunday and betterment on the Atlantic route but has given assurances that all team and accredited personnel transport for the Olympic Games will be prioritised.
On Thursday night, optic cables near the routes crucial to transmitting safety data, such as red lights and switches for drivers, were severed and burnt in various locations across the network.
An inside source calls this operation “well planned” and coordinated by the “same entity”. So far, no claims have taken ownership of the attack. Investigations have been initiated by the Paris prosecutor’s office.
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The incident coincided with the lead-up to the opening ceremony of the 2024 Olympics in Paris, a time when hundreds of thousands of passengers were expected to descend on the French capital.
According to French Transport Minister Patrice Vergriete, those most affected are the 800,000 travellers expected this weekend, many going to holiday destinations. He suggested the disruption was likely aimed at the holidaymakers’ mass transit rather than the Olympic Games specifically.
Road traffic was heavy on Friday as French holidaymakers depart en masse this last weekend of July, reported road information agency Bison Futé.
Given the exceptional situation, SNCF staff at stations demonstrated flexibility, accommodating more passengers than were available seats and refraining from ticket inspection.
