SNCF has warned that disruptions caused by Friday’s sabotage of France’s rail network could last until the end of the weekend, affecting hundreds of thousands of passengers.
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Coordinated fires on three TGV lines caused chaos just hours before the opening ceremony of the Paris Olympics. A fourth attack was stopped by railway workers.
Prime Minister Gabriel Attal called the attacks “acts of sabotage.” Around a quarter of Eurostar international trains have been canceled, affecting many, including British Prime Minister Keir Starmer.
In a statement, SNCF said traffic would “improve” on Saturday. On the Eastern line, trains will run as normal from 6:00 am. On the Northern line, 80% of trains will run, with delays of 1 to 2 hours. On the southwest line, 60% of trains will run, and there will also be delays of 1 to 2 hours. Customers with delayed or canceled trains will be contacted by email or text message.
Eurostar announced that about 20% of weekend services will be canceled, and all trains will face delays of around 1.5 hours. Eurostar services run on the Northern High-Speed Line.
SNCF said it had increased surveillance of the rail network “on land and in the air” with 1,000 agents and 50 drones. Transport Minister Patrice Vergriete said around 250,000 people were affected on Friday, and up to 800,000 could face delays and cancellations by Monday.
No group has claimed responsibility for the attacks. Security forces are searching for those responsible. Saboteurs cut and set fire to fiber optic cables crucial to the rail network’s safe operation. The prosecution has opened an investigation into attacks on the “fundamental interests of the nation.”
