Paris Olympics 2024: Everything to Know About the Rail Sabotage in France Before the Big Day

In a shocking turn of events, France's high-speed rail network experienced "malicious acts," including arson attacks, which disrupted the transport system, according to train operator SNCF on Friday. This incident occurred just hours before the opening ceremony of the Paris Olympics 2024.

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What happened in France?

The coordinated acts of vandalism targeted the high-speed rail routes leading into Paris, affecting trains from London and other parts of Europe. Paris is hosting the Olympics 2024 and the attack happened a day before the opening ceremony. 

Eurostar, which operates international services from London St Pancras, announced on Friday that several trains to Paris had been canceled or diverted, resulting in delays.

The disruptions, which occurred overnight, were particularly troubling as they came on one of the busiest days of the year for Eurostar trains. The high-speed line between Lille in northern France and Paris was heavily impacted, forcing trains to be diverted via the classic line, adding an hour and a half to journey times. Up to 800,000 passengers could face delays over the weekend, with around 250,000 affected just before the Olympics 2024 opening ceremony set to take place on the River Seine.

What action has been taken so far?

In response to the crisis, Eurostar stated that their teams were fully mobilized at stations, in call centers, and onboard trains to assist passengers and ensure they reached their destinations. Affected passengers can cancel or refund their tickets or modify their journey free of charge, though limited availability of alternative trains has made this challenging.

With flights not a viable option due to the closure of all three Paris airports as a security precaution, millions of French travelers are expected to be affected. The situation is likely to persist throughout the weekend, with SNCF teams already on-site conducting checks and beginning repairs.

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Who was behind the sabotage?

French authorities have responded swiftly to the incidents. A 40-year-old Russian national was arrested on Wednesday, suspected of plotting to sabotage the Olympic Games. While it remains unclear if this arrest is connected to the arson attacks, the French government has condemned the acts in the strongest terms.

The disruption has cast a shadow over the eagerly anticipated Paris Olympics 2024 opening ceremony. As the world prepares to watch the grand event unfold on the River Seine, many travelers and participants are grappling with unexpected delays and cancellations.