High-Speed Rail Arson Attack Just Before Paris Olympics Opening... Bomb Threat at Airport

Three High-Speed Rail Lines Connecting Paris and Provinces Set on Fire
Sports Minister: "Disrupting the Olympics is Disrupting France"

Just hours before the opening ceremony of the 2024 Paris Olympics, an unexpected incident occurred as France's high-speed rail network was subjected to a large-scale arson attack.

Fire Arson Incident on French Railway. On the 26th (local time), SNCF employees and others are inspecting the fire scene near the high-speed rail tracks in Croisy-sur-Andelle, northern France.
[Photo by AFP]

On the 26th (local time), the French National Railway Company (SNCF) announced that between the previous night and early morning, "a large-scale attack aimed at paralyzing the rail network took place, causing major disruptions on the high-speed train (TGV) lines connecting Paris with the west, north, and east."

SNCF explained that arson occurred near the high-speed rail tracks at Courtalain on the Paris?Southwest section, Croisy on the Paris?North section, and Panny-sur-Moselle connecting Paris and the east. The fire damaged railway operation facilities and caused power supply disruptions.

The French authorities are on high alert due to this emergency situation occurring just before the opening ceremony. The city of Paris announced that despite the sabotage of the rail network, the opening ceremony will proceed as scheduled.

An attack attempt also occurred in Vergigny on the Paris?South section. SNCF stated, "We are rerouting some trains, but many trains will have to be canceled," and added that rail operations are expected to return to normal only by Monday, the 29th.

SNCF further explained, "This attack will affect 800,000 people who planned to use the trains during the weekend and holiday season."

So far, the perpetrators or organizations behind the rail network attack have not been identified.

French railway lines suffered a network paralysis attack, causing massive disruptions to train operations. Citizens waiting to board trains at Paris Gare du Nord were stranded due to cancellations and delays of trains such as Eurostar.
[Photo by UPI]

French Prime Minister Gabriel Attal said, "I know that this attack was premeditated and well-organized," adding, "The organization behind the attack targeted the core of the rail network, which means they knew exactly which points to attack."

French Minister of Transport Patrice Vergriette stated at a press conference, "The evidence we have shows this was a deliberate attack," and added, "The timing, the incendiary devices found at the scene, and the fleeing vehicle all serve as proof of arson."

The Paris prosecutor's office has launched an immediate investigation into the incident. The French government strongly condemned the large-scale destruction of public facilities that occurred just before the Olympic opening.

French Minister of Sports Am?lie Oud?a-Cast?ra criticized the incident in an interview with local media, saying, "I condemn this with the strongest possible language," and added, "Disrupting the Olympics is disrupting France, and it is disrupting one's own camp and country."

At 11 a.m. that day, a bomb threat was issued at EuroAirport, located in the southeastern border area of France near Switzerland and Germany, leading to the evacuation of everyone inside the terminal. The airport was immediately closed, and flight operations were temporarily suspended.

Prior to this, various incidents such as vehicle ramming attacks and stabbings of police officers have occurred in France ahead of the Olympics, raising concerns about the possibility of large-scale terrorism.