France’s high-speed TGV rail network has been paralyzed by vandalism and arson attacks, the train operator SNCF said, just hours before the Olympic Games in Paris are set to open.
An SNCF spokesman told The Epoch Times by email that it was the “victim” of several simultaneous “malicious acts” affecting the Atlantique, Northern, and Eastern high-speed lines.
He said the massive attack—which included deliberate fires set to damage its facilities—will “paralyze high-speed lines.”
“We ask all passengers to postpone their journeys and not to go to railway stations. All tickets are exchangeable and refundable. Customers will be informed by text when their train is running,” said the SNCF spokesman, adding that about 250,000 customers are affected.
Disruption is expected to last at least the whole weekend.
Several trains on the Eurostar service—which connects France, the UK, Belgium, Germany, and the Netherlands—have been cancelled.
A number of trains from London St. Pancras International to Paris have been delayed, according to the Eurostar website.
A spokesperson for Eurostar said, “Due to coordinated acts of malice in France, affecting the high speed line between Paris and Lille, all high speed trains going to and coming from Paris are being diverted via the classic line today Friday July 26.”
Eurostar told customers to cancel their trips on Friday if they can amid ongoing disruption to its services.
The rail operator said, “We encourage our customers to postpone their trip if possible.”
French police investigations are ongoing.
“I don’t know what the nature of these malicious acts is, so I would refrain from making any comments. What is certain is that we are ready to deploy in the stations,” he said.
Laure Beccuau, chief prosecutor, said that some of the crimes carry up to 20 years’ prison time and up to 300,000 euro ($326,000) fines.
The charges include damage to property affecting national interests, attempted damage by dangerous means in an organised group, and attacks on automated data systems.
Transport minister Patrice Vergriete said in a post on X that he “firmly condemns these criminal incidents” and that SNCF is working to restore services.
Sports minister Amelie Oudea-Castera said authorities are working to “evaluate the impact on travellers, athletes, and ensure the transport of all delegations to the competition sites” for the Olympics.
Speaking on BFM TV, she said, “Playing against the games is playing against France, against your own camp, against your country.”
The Epoch Times contacted French police for comment.
This is an unfolding story and the article may be updated.
