Massive Chaos on the SNCF Network in France Following Unprecedented Sabotage: Weekend Travel Disruptions Expected
In an alarming turn of events, France’s SNCF railway network has fallen victim to an extensive act of sabotage, leading to significant disruptions across its major routes. This incident comes at a particularly critical time, just hours before the much-anticipated opening ceremony of the Olympic Games, casting a shadow over an event meant to celebrate unity and sportsmanship.
During the early hours of Thursday to Friday, the SNCF experienced what has been described as a “massive attack” on its infrastructure. This carefully orchestrated act of vandalism targeted the Atlantic, North, and East TGV (high-speed train) lines, affecting the travel plans of hundreds of thousands of passengers throughout the weekend.
The sabotage focused on vital signal boxes at three key points on the network: near Arras on the northern axis, in Moselle for the eastern axis, and in Eure-et-Loir along the Atlantic route. The attackers severed and ignited cables in these locations, damaging vital optical fibers responsible for transmitting crucial safety information. The complexity of these fibers makes repairs particularly challenging, requiring meticulous effort to reconnect damaged wires individually.
The SNCF has mobilized a ‘thousand-strong workforce’ in response to this emergency. Efforts to conduct speedy repairs have led to a partial resumption of services. However, travelers are warned to expect continued disruptions and delays throughout the weekend. The SNCF has released a statement detailing the expected service levels: on Saturday, approximately two-thirds of TGVs will operate on the Brittany and South-West axis, with 80% service resumption on the North axis but with anticipated delays. Meanwhile, traffic on the high-speed Est line is expected to run normally.
Sunday’s forecasts suggest ongoing disruptions, particularly on the North axis, with gradual improvement on the Atlantic axis as the weekend progresses. The incident has also impacted international routes, with Eurostar announcing the cancellation of one out of every five trains for the weekend. All trains to and from Paris are required to reduce speed significantly, leading to delays of up to an hour and a half.
An estimated 800,000 travelers will face the repercussions of this sabotage, including 250,000 who were affected on Friday alone. Among the disrupted were four TGV trains carrying Olympic athletes, though officials assure that the games’ organization will not be directly impacted.
In response to the scale and apparent sophistication of the attack, security measures for SNCF and RATP infrastructures have been heightened. The Paris prosecutor’s office, specializing in the fight against organized crime, has taken over the investigation, exploring various motives behind the attack, including potential links to far-left movements or other entities.
The timing of this sabotage—not only in proximity to the Olympic Games but also during a peak travel period for vacationers—underscores the significant impact it has on France’s transportation system and, by extension, its national pride. This incident follows a series of similar sabotage episodes in Europe, including a recent event in Germany and an incident on the LGV Est earlier in the year.
As the country navigates this challenging period, the focus remains on swiftly restoring full service and ensuring the safety and security of its railway network. Travelers are encouraged to check the latest updates from SNCF and plan their journeys accordingly during this period of expected disruptions.
