2024-07-26 09:20:51
A “wave of coordinated attacks” and arson paralysed France’s high-speed rail network on Friday, impacting over 8 lakh people, just hours ahead of the opening ceremony for the Paris Olympics. The arson has led to several train cancellations and diversions, said Eurostar, the high-speed train service connecting the United Kingdom with France.
Calling the attacks “coordinated acts of malice”, French Sports Minister Amelie Oudea-Castera said, “To target the games is to target France.”
Chaos has already gripped the Paris Olympics over security concerns, with the Morocco vs Argentina football match witnessing a two-hour suspension following a pitch invasion by Moroccan fans. On Thursday, an Australian woman was gang-raped by five men in Paris.
France rail network chaos ahead of Olympics: Latest updates
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The attacks on installations along the railway lines have cut off Paris with the country’s west, north and east, The Guardian reported. State-owned railway operator announces route diversions “at least all weekend”.
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Eurostar trains from London to Paris have also been affected, with some cancellations and delays. Journey times for all high-speed trains going to and coming from Paris have increased by 90 minutes.
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The development will impact about 800,000 French holiday-makers ahead of the summer holiday weekend. Visuals posted by irate passengers on X showed crowds of people stranded at stations.
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Several Olympic fixtures, including football matches, have been scheduled over the weekend in locations outside Paris, including Nantes and Bordeaux. These areas are connected to Paris by major rail lines.
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France has deployed an unprecedented security detail for the event, with over 45,000 police and 10,000 soldiers. After the arson, the Paris police chief said he was beefing up security further at major railway stations.
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