SNCF technicians begin repairs after string of arson incidents on French rail network

Technicians from France’s excessive pace railway community have began to restore fireplace harm brought on by arsonists that befell hours earlier than the Paris Olympics’ opening ceremony.

The fires paralysed prepare journey into Paris for round 800,000 individuals throughout Europe, together with athletes heading to the opening ceremony of the Olympic Video games.

Focusing on distant areas removed from the capital, the apparently coordinated assaults sought to chop off rail routes into town from all instructions.

The fires had been predominantly set in pipes containing essential signalling cables for the system often known as the TGV. There have been no studies of accidents.

Railway operator SNCF stated safety throughout the community can be stepped in response.

The corporate stated in an announcement that there had been a gradual enchancment to providers however that there would nonetheless be disruptions on some strains.

“In coordination with the forces of legislation and order, surveillance of the community has been stepped up on the bottom and within the air, utilizing each human and technical assets,” the assertion stated.

The fires had been reported earlier than daybreak on Friday close to the tracks on three separate strains, inflicting widespread disruptions.

One other arson try, within the south in Vergigny, was thwarted by rail brokers who scared off a number of suspects.

French authorities ministers had been fast to deplore the suspected acts of vandalism, though they stated there was no fast indicators of a direct hyperlink to the Olympics.

Patrice Vergriete, France’s Minister Delegate for Transport, stated on X that a number of TGV high-speed trains will stay disrupted over the following few days.

“I strongly condemn these legal acts which can jeopardise the vacation departures of many French individuals,” he stated.

“A giant thanks to the SNCF groups who’re working onerous to revive site visitors situations as shortly as doable.”

Chatting with BFMTV, Amélie Oudéa-Castéra, Minister for Sport and the Olympic and Paralympic Video games, stated she condemned what occurred on Friday morning in “the firmest method”.

“It is actually appalling,” she stated. “Appearing towards the video games is appearing towards France, towards your personal facet, towards your nation.”

Inside Minister Gérald Darmanin stated he hoped arrested would quickly be made.

Jean-Pierre Farandou, the CEO of SNCF, stated an investigation was underneath method however he had no particulars.

“We all know that there are police checks which are being carried out. There are quite a lot of forensic police parts which are being checked out. I feel the concept is to seek out as shortly as doable the irresponsible individuals who dedicated this coordinated assault towards the French community,” he stated.