Saboteurs Strike French Rail on Eve of Paris Olympics, Sparking Security Scramble

Saboteurs targeted France’s TGV high-speed train network, disrupting major rail lines just hours before the Paris Olympics opening ceremony. The state-owned railway operator, SNCF, reported vandalism on signal boxes along key routes, including Paris to Lille, Bordeaux, and Strasbourg, and an attempted sabotage on the Paris-Marseille line.

No group has claimed responsibility for the attacks, which utilized a sophisticated knowledge of the railway system, hinting at the possibility of involvement by leftist militants or environmental activists. However, security sources stress that evidence is still being gathered, and conclusions remain premature.

The incident has not only caused significant disruption, stranding hundreds of thousands of travelers, but has also intensified security concerns as France hosts the Olympics. Prime Minister Gabriel Attal urged caution and refrained from speculating on the perpetrators, emphasizing the coordinated and knowledgeable nature of the sabotage.

Amidst these security challenges, France is ramping up its efforts to ensure safety, deploying a robust force of 45,000 police, 10,000 soldiers, and additional private security personnel for the Olympics. The opening ceremony is expected to draw a global audience, with more than 300,000 spectators anticipated along the River Seine.