French Rail Network Hit by ‘Malicious’ Arson Attacks Hours Before Paris 2024 Olympics Opening Ceremony

“Due to coordinated acts of malice in France, affecting several high-speed lines, several high-speed trains are being diverted or canceled,” train network SNCF said in a statement on July 26

• France’s high-speed rail network was hit by “malicious” attacks on the morning of Friday, July 26

• The incident occurred just hours before the 2024 Olympic Games opening ceremony is set to take place in Paris

• The acts of vandalism included arson attacks, according to multiple outlets

France’s high-speed rail network has been hit by a “malicious” attack ahead of the 2024 Olympic Games opening ceremony in Paris.

On Friday, July 26, the day the Games are set to kick off, train network SNCF was hit with “coordinated acts of malice” in the country, SNCF Voyageurs said in a statement shared on X (formerly known as Twitter).

Several high-speed lines have been affected, the statement added, with multiple high-speed trains being diverted or canceled.

“Our teams are fully mobilized in stations, in the call centers, and onboard to ensure that all passengers are informed and can reach their destination,” the company assured.

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Per the Associated Press, NBC News and BBC News, the acts of vandalism included arson attacks.

French Prime Minister Gabriel Attal wrote on X, “Early this morning, acts of sabotage were carried out in a prepared and coordinated manner on SNCF installations.”

“The consequences on the rail network are massive and serious,” he added in the message translated from French.

“I express my sincere gratitude to our firefighters who intervened on the affected sites and to the SNCF agents who will carry out the necessary work to restore the network,” Attal said, adding that he shares French people’s “anger” as some families prepare “to go on vacation.”

“Our intelligence services and law enforcement are mobilized to find and punish the perpetrators of these criminal acts,” he concluded.

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Transport Minister Patrice Vergriete also commented on the “coordinated malicious acts” that “will seriously disrupt traffic until this weekend” on X.

“I strongly condemn these criminal actions which will compromise the vacation departures of many French people. A big thank you to the #SNCF teams, on the bridge to restore traffic conditions as quickly as possible,” Vergriete said in a statement translated from French.

He added, per the AP, “Everything indicates that these are criminal fires.” The outlet said there were no known injuries at this time.

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Per the AP, two German showjumping athletes — Philipp Weishaupt and Christian Kukuk — had been on a train to Paris ahead of the opening ceremony, but had to head back once they arrived in Belgium amid the incident, the outlet stated German news agency dpa reported.

SNCF President Jean-Pierre Farrandou said 800,000 people would be affected by the attacks, per NBC News.

“We are so sorry to not be able to circulate the trains expected by the French. Today the major departure lines are attacked, an attack on the French,” he said, adding, “The celebration is spoiled.”

SNCF did not immediately respond to PEOPLE’s request for comment.

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Railway company Eurostar — which operates services between London and Paris, among other destinations — was also affected.

“Due to coordinated acts of vandalism 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 26 July. 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 onboard to assist and ensure our passengers are fully informed,” the company said in a statement on its website.

The attacks came as thousands of athletes and celebrities get ready to travel down the Seine River in custom-made floats to kick off the 2024 Games on Friday. Live coverage of the opening ceremony starts at 12 p.m. ET on Friday and the event will begin at 1:30 p.m. ET on NBC and Peacock.

To learn more about all the Olympic and Paralympic hopefuls, come to people.com to check out ongoing coverage before, during and after the games. And sign up for Going for Gold, our Olympics newsletter, to get the biggest stories from the Games delivered straight to your inbox. Watch the Paris Olympics and Paralympics, beginning July 26, on NBC and Peacock.

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