Arson Attacks Cause Travel Disruption Ahead Paris Olympics Opening

The French rail network was sabotaged by three coordinated arson attacks yesterday, affecting travel to and from the UK, Belgium and across the north, east and west of France, causing disruption ahead of the opening of the Olympics.

A quarter of all Eurostar trains were canceled over the weekend after arson attacks.

The rail operator, which runs international services from London St Pancras, told customers to cancel trips where possible. France’s transport minister blamed the cancellations on “coordinated malicious acts” on other high-speed rail lines across the country.

A fourth attack on a line running south was foiled, French rail company SNCF has said.

Some 800,000 customers will be affected with disruption expected all weekend, the rail firm said.

The disruption coincided with people traveling to see the opening ceremony of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games and came as millions embarked on summer getaways.

Eurostar’s Chief Commercial Officer François Le Doze said the majority of passengers hoping to leave London for Paris yesterday would still be able to do so but with delays of around 90 minutes.

Trains will have to run slower along certain sections in France after the network was attacked and damaged, he said.