Paris Olympics: Hours ahead of the opening ceremony of the Paris Olympics, France's high-speed rail network was hit by "malicious acts," including arson attacks, which led to disruptions in the transport system, train operator SNCF said on Friday. The attacks were coordinated acts of "sabotage," a source privy to the investigation in the matter told news agency AFP.
"This is a massive attack on a large scale to paralyse the TGV network," SNCF told AFP. The company further stated that many routes will have to be cancelled. "SNCF was the victim of several simultaneous malicious acts overnight," the national train operator said. The attacks affected its Atlantic, northern, and eastern lines, the operator further stated.
"Arson attacks were started to damage our facilities," it said, adding that traffic on the affected lines was "heavily disrupted" and the situation would last through the weekend as repairs are conducted. According to the statement, trains were being diverted to different tracks, "but we will have to cancel a large number of them."
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The southeastern line was not affected as "a malicious act was foiled." SNCF requested passengers postpone their trips and stay away from train stations.
The attacks took place at a time when Paris was under heavy security ahead of the opening ceremony of the Olympics. The opening ceremony is set to witness 300,000 spectators, with an audience of VIPs also expected at the event. The Friday evening parade will see up to 7,500 competitors travel down a six-kilometre stretch of the river Seine on a flotilla of 85 boats.
Notably, it will be the first occasion when the Summer Olympics will be opened outside the main athletics stadium, a decision filled with danger at a time when France is witnessing the highest alert for terror attacks.