by Mick the Ram

Hours ahead of the Olympic Opening Ceremony in Paris, the French state railway company SNCF reported that they had been a victim overnight of a series of “malicious acts” aimed at paralysing their network.

Fires were started at three points on TGV lines running west, north and east of Paris. A fourth attack on the route heading south was foiled.

On what would have probably been the busiest day of the year, authorities have advised travellers to postpone trips, as many trains will be cancelled or need to be severely diverted, affecting up to 800,000 people over the weekend.

Many French people would have also been trying to get to the city to enjoy the ceremony being staged in their capital, with up to 300,000 spectators expected, along with an audience of VIPs and celebrities from around the world.

Details are still emerging, but at this stage nobody has claimed responsibility. Jean-Pierre Farandou, the CEO of the SNCF has clarified that major disruptions will last across the whole of the weekend, and called it “a day of sadness”.

The Paris prosecutor’s office has already opened a criminal investigation, warning of lengthy jail time and substantial fines for anyone found to be responsible.

It has however been confirmed that the opening ceremony for the Olympics WILL go ahead as planned.

Fires cause line closures

It should have been a wonderful day for the French and Parisian’s in particular. The country’s capital city is gearing up for a spectacular parade of Olympic athletes along its River Seine, whilst many of its citizens looked forward to heading off on their summer holidays.

However, many plans have been thrown into chaos after three fires were reported near the tracks on the high-speed lines of Atlantique, Nord and Est, causing cancellations and widespread disruption.

Fourth attack foiled

State-owned railway operator SNCF, said the fires had been set at installations along the lines connecting the Paris with cities such as: Lille in the north, Bordeaux in the west and Strasbourg in the east, leading to frustration amongst passengers, especially at the city’s Montparnasse and Gare du Nord stations.

Fortunately a fourth attack, which would have affected trains heading south to Lyon and on to resorts and cities on the Côte d’Azur, was interrupted before it could be completed. 

Double impact confirms coordinated attacks

The company’s CEO, Jean-Pierre Farandou confirmed that cables – which are there to ensure the security of train drivers – were set on fire and taken apart, affecting rail track intersections, targetted in specific areas to double the impact

“For one fire, two destinations were hit”, he said, adding that it meant it was “a premeditated, calculated, coordinated attack” that indicates “a desire to seriously harm” the French people.

He explained that they now have to pull the damaged cables back together one by one, reconnect and then finally test them. “It’s a question of security; we have to make sure we test them so when trains are back up and running, they are safe,” he stressed.

Perpetrators as yet unknown

A spokesperson for Prime Minister Gabriel Attal confirmed that France’s intelligence and security forces have been “mobilised” to find those responsible. When asked who was believed to be behind the arson attacks, they said: “These methods have been used by the far-left in the past”, but added: “there is no evidence to tie today’s actions to them.”

There has been growing domestic unrest, powered in part by recent national elections that saw a battle between the left and far-right. Security forces had it is understood, detained a “member of the extreme-right” earlier in the week, suspected of wanting to commit violent action during the Games, specifically with an “intention to intervene during a phase of the torch relay.”

Condemnation from minister

Transport Minister Patrice Vergriete informed that people had been seen fleeing from the scene of fires and that incendiary devices had been discovered.

The country’s sports minister, Amelie Oudea-Castera, condemned the sabotage, calling it “unacceptable”. She expressed her anger and said she was “stressed”, but insisted that “we are not going to let ourselves be destabilised by this”.

When pressed if it could be the work of terrorists or even another nation, she replied that it was a possibility, but also pointed out it could just as likely been the work of protesters.

Meanwhile, prosecutors in Paris opened a national investigation saying the crimes could carry sentences of 15 to 20 years.

Holiday chaos

This was always going to be a very busy day at the Paris stations, with visitors arriving for the opening ceremony in one direction, and in the other many Parisians leaving at the start of their summer holiday.

August is seemingly a sacred month for residents of the capital, as they head off en masse to the countryside, the beach or the mountains. Plans are therefore severely curtailed as a result of the attacks.

Similarly, many UK citizens also hop on to the Eurostar services and speed through the Channel Tunnel and head for their breaks all across their closest neighbouring country. They will be devastated as trains have been cancelled, throwing holidays into confusion.

Security wake up call

The Olympics have dominated security measures by the French for months now, with around 35,000 police expected to be deployed each day throughout the Games, peaking today (Friday 26 July) at 45,000 for the opening ceremony. An additional 10,000 soldiers will be in and around the Paris region, supported by 1,800 police officers from all around the world.

Therefore, these incidents coming just hours before the historic torch relay concludes and the opening ceremony begins, will have been a major shock and embarrassment for the authorities and organisers.