German Interior Minister Nancy Faeser has said she considers the arson attacks on railway facilities in France as evidence that the significant efforts of French security forces around the Olympic Games are necessary.

“The serious acts of sabotage on the French railway network show how serious the threat levels are currently in Europe and how important the strong security measures to protect the Olympic Games are,” Faeser said on Friday ahead of the opening ceremony for the Summer Games in Paris.

She referred to the temporary checks at the German-French border that she had ordered due to the major sporting event in the neighbouring country.

A few hours before the opening of the games, unknown individuals carried out arson attacks on several facilities of the French high-speed train network.

The Cabinet in Berlin decided this week to support a German bid for the Olympic Games. Faeser’s ministry announced, “The federal government favours the year 2040 for the games in Germany.”

The minister, who is also responsible for elite sports promotion, said, “We also want a home game for our athletes again.”

Security forces stand at Gare Montparnasse station. A few hours before the opening of the Olympic Games in Paris, unknown persons carried out arson attacks on several facilities on the French high-speed train network. Sebastian Kahnert/dpaSecurity forces stand at Gare Montparnasse station. A few hours before the opening of the Olympic Games in Paris, unknown persons carried out arson attacks on several facilities on the French high-speed train network. Sebastian Kahnert/dpa

Security forces stand at Gare Montparnasse station. A few hours before the opening of the Olympic Games in Paris, unknown persons carried out arson attacks on several facilities on the French high-speed train network. Sebastian Kahnert/dpa

A general view of an information board at La Defense station in Paris. France's high-speed rail network has been severely affected after it was targeted by several arson attacks hours before the opening ceremony for the Olympic Games in Paris, rail operator SNCF said on 26 July. Peter Byrne/PA Wire/dpaA general view of an information board at La Defense station in Paris. France's high-speed rail network has been severely affected after it was targeted by several arson attacks hours before the opening ceremony for the Olympic Games in Paris, rail operator SNCF said on 26 July. Peter Byrne/PA Wire/dpa

A general view of an information board at La Defense station in Paris. France’s high-speed rail network has been severely affected after it was targeted by several arson attacks hours before the opening ceremony for the Olympic Games in Paris, rail operator SNCF said on 26 July. Peter Byrne/PA Wire/dpa

Scores of passengers gather around the departure boards at Gare Montparnasse station in Paris as the French high-speed rail network is disrupted just hours before the opening ceremony of the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris. According to the SNCF, the TGV network was hit by a massive attack on a large scale, forcing many routes to be canceled. The SNCF asked passengers to postpone their journeys and stay away from the stations. Thibaud Moritz/AFP/dpaScores of passengers gather around the departure boards at Gare Montparnasse station in Paris as the French high-speed rail network is disrupted just hours before the opening ceremony of the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris. According to the SNCF, the TGV network was hit by a massive attack on a large scale, forcing many routes to be canceled. The SNCF asked passengers to postpone their journeys and stay away from the stations. Thibaud Moritz/AFP/dpa



Source link

RELATED ARTICLESMORE FROM AUTHOR