– We have mobilized the intelligence services to find and punish the perpetrators, writes Prime Minister Gabriel Attal on X. Attal writes that coordinated actions were carried out against the fast train lines on the night of Friday. It has massive and serious consequences, he writes. Photo: Mark Baker / AP – This is a massive attack on a large scale meant to paralyze the TGV network, says the operator SNCF. The head of the company, Jean-Pierre Farrandou, says that 800,000 customers have been affected, according to France Info. – All indicators show that this was intentional, says outgoing transport minister Patrice Vergriete. Work is underway to get the express train back on track. Photo: Brian Snyder / Reuters They have mobilized several thousand workers to repair the damage, which will include fire attacks. There are several lines in various directions out of Paris that have been destroyed. The train operator is asking people to stay away from the stations and postpone their journeys. If the train leaves, you will receive a message via SMS, they say. Many canceled trains Many departures have been canceled as a result of the destruction. It is the Atlantique, Nord and Est lines that have been affected. Photo: Simen Ekern / news news meets Gail outside the Paris Gare du Nord station. She is on her way to the city of Lille in the far north of France to watch Canada play a basketball game. – Has there been an attack? I got the news from you, she says to news’s reporter. – I am worried that we will miss the game. We have worked so hard for the tickets and to get here. The police say they are concentrating on the stations in Paris, and that they have increased security in Paris. Photo: Mark Baker / AP – This is my only holiday this year. That is what Katherine Abbey (30) says to AFP. She has tickets to Biarritz with her husband. He may have to look back on that trip for a long time. – I will be devastated if I have to cancel this trip, especially when you see how Paris looks during the Olympics. Travelers probably have to wait a long time at train stations in Paris. Photo: THIBAUD MORITZ / AFP The train company Eurostar says it has canceled several trains due to the destruction in Paris. In several places, the train lines were set on fire on the night of Friday. Photo: Reuters SNCF’s website states that they expect to be in normal operation by Monday 29 July. Safety as a mantra French sports minister Amélie Oudéa-Castéra condemns the vandalism. – It is absolutely terrible. Attacking the Games is the same as attacking France, says the minister to the channel BFMTV. The railways through Paris. Lyntoga stands by after last night’s sabotage actions. Photo: Martin Meissner / AP – These games are for the athletes who have dreamed of this for years – and someone has sabotaged it for them, says Oudéa-Castéra. Friday is the start of the Olympics in Paris. The opening ceremony will be held on the river Seine, which runs through the city. Large crowds are expected in the French capital. – This should be a holiday. Many French people were going to Paris today. Everything is wasted. We will not give up, says the SNCF boss about the work they now have ahead of them. The security measures during the Olympics are extensive. Photo: AP For several months, Paris has been preparing for the Olympics. Then safety has been mentioned on most occasions. Security measures are large in the city now. 35,000 police officers will patrol the city during the games. Tonight during the opening ceremony, 10,000 extra officers will be in place. Published 26/07/2024, at 09.02 Updated 26.07.2024, at 14.05
ttn-69
Vandalism on high-speed train lines – expect major delays first Olympic weekend – news Urix – Foreign news and documentaries
