Chaos Strikes: Arsonists Disrupt Olympic Athletes’ Journey to Paris, Causing Wannix Panic
Arson Attacks Disrupt French Rail Ahead of Paris Olympics
Arson attacks severely disrupted France’s high-speed rail network on Friday, affecting tens of thousands of passengers just hours before the Paris Olympics opening ceremony. Officials have described these acts as premeditated sabotage, occurring under intense security measures in the French capital, which is set to host 300,000 spectators and numerous VIPs for the event.
Despite the disruptions, the national rail operator SNCF assured that all accredited participants for the Games would reach their destinations. While weekend rail traffic is expected to improve, cancellations and delays will persist. Two out of three high-speed trains linking Paris with western and southwestern France are running as scheduled, with 80% operational in northern France.
The sabotage also halted two out of four trains carrying Olympic athletes on the Atlantique line, affecting several athletes, including German showjumpers Philipp Weishaupt and Christian Kukuk, who had to turn back in Belgium.
SNCF CEO Jean-Pierre Farandou labeled the incidents as a “premeditated, calculated, coordinated attack” aimed at significantly disrupting travel. French Prime Minister Gabriel Attal stated the objective was clearly to block the high-speed train network, warning of “massive consequences” for travelers heading to Paris for the Games or vacations.
Around 25% of Eurostar trains, which link Paris and London, were canceled, and Basel-Mulhouse airport was briefly evacuated due to a bomb threat, intensifying the overall travel chaos.
French prosecutors have launched an investigation into the sabotage, exploring potential links to extreme-left groups and similar tactics seen in Germany. Despite the disruptions, Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo assured that the opening ceremony of the Olympics would proceed without impact.
Pope Francis weighed in on social media, emphasizing the Olympic spirit’s role in fostering peace and countering violence, calling for sport to build bridges and break down barriers.
The news has prompted a significant security response as authorities seek to identify the perpetrators of the attacks.
Original Story https://www.news18.com/amp/world/after-rail-disruption-franco-swiss-airport-evacuated-for-security-reasons-ahead-of-olympics-opening-ceremony-8979771.html
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