High-Speed Rail Disruptions Hit Paris Ahead of Olympics Opening Ceremony

PARIS (AP) — Just hours before the highly anticipated opening ceremony of the Olympics, Paris faced significant disruptions in high-speed rail services due to what officials are calling “criminal actions” and sabotage. Transport Minister Patrice Vergriete reported that several high-speed lines connecting the French capital to other regions and neighboring countries were paralyzed, with evidence of incendiary devices and fires near the tracks. The incidents particularly impacted the Montparnasse station, leading to chaotic scenes as travelers were left stranded. As authorities prepared for a major parade along the Seine River, three separate fires were reported on the Atlantique, Nord, and Est high-speed lines. The Paris police chief, Laurent Nuñez, indicated that the police had intensified their presence at train stations following what he described as a “massive attack” on the TGV network. The disruptions also affected international travel routes, including connections to London and Belgium, as the French national rail company SNCF labeled the incidents as coordinated attacks. In response to the chaos, Sports Minister Amélie Oudéa-Castera emphasized the need to assess the impact on travelers and athletes, ensuring that all delegations could reach their competition sites. Meanwhile, announcements at the international terminus warned passengers of issues with overhead power supplies, urging them to postpone their journeys. The attacks come amid heightened security measures in the city as it gears up for the 2024 Olympic Games, with SNCF offering refunds and exchanges for affected tickets.