Arsonists attack French railways with a series of coordinated attacks just eight hours before the Paris 2024 Olympics are due to start.The arson attacks have significantly disrupted some of the nation’s busiest rail lines just before the opening ceremony.
The state-owned railway operator SNCF said arsonists attack French railways and targeted installations along lines connecting Paris with cities such as Lille in the north, Bordeaux in the west, and Strasbourg in the east. It caused all travelers to postpone their journeys. Repairs are underway but traffic will be severely disrupted until the end of the weekend. Trains are being sent back to their points of departure.
“Last night, the SNCF was a victim of several acts of vandalism on the Atlantic, northern, and eastern high-speed lines. Fires were deliberately set to damage our installations,” the operator said. These rail network attacks will contribute to a sense of unease ahead of the Olympics opening ceremony in Paris on Friday.
Security Measures for the Olympics
France is taking extraordinary security measures to ensure the safety of the event. They are deploying over 45,000 police officers, 10,000 soldiers, and 2,000 private security agents. Snipers will be on rooftops, and drones will keep watch from the air. Paris 2024 stated that it is collaborating with the SNCF to evaluate the situation. There has been no immediate claim of responsibility or indication of political motives behind the attacks. Transport Minister Patrice Vergriete condemned the acts as criminal.
Transport Minister Patrice Vergriete described the acts as criminal. The Paris police chief said he was increasing security at the capital’s main stations. Sports Minister Amelie Oudea-Castera condemned the vandalism. “It’s completely appalling,” she told BFMTV. “To target the Games is to target France.”
Impact on Travelers
At the Gare de L’Est the traveler Corinne Lecocq said her train to Strasbourg on the border with Germany had been canceled. “We’ll take the slow line,” she said. “I’m on holiday so it’s okay, even if it is irritating to be late.” A number of trains from London St Pancras International to Paris have been delayed by at least an hour, according to operator Eurostar’s website.
“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,” a Eurostar official said. “This extends the journey time by around an hour and a half. Several trains have been canceled. Eurostar’s teams are fully mobilized in stations, in the call centers, and on-board to ensure that all passengers are informed and can reach their destination.”
Also Read: Paris Clears Migrants and Homeless During The Olympics
All The Issues That Had Happened Before Olympics In France?
There have been a lot of issues which have happened recently just before the France Olympics. The first issue was in the match between Argentina and Morocco where the Moroccon fans came to the play field and threatened the Argentina players which led to the match being stopped for two hours. This raised a lot of concerns for the security arrangements in France.
Secondly, the Australian women who came to watch Olympics was raped by a group of African emigrants in France which further led to controversies. The Australian women’s team who came to participate in the Paris Olympics questioned the Paris security ahead of the Olympics as they were not feeling safe in France.
The third issue which arose was the rehabilitation of the emigrants who came to France till the Olympics to improve the security of France till the Olympics. This created resentment among the emigrants who were thrown out of France.
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