France’s TGV Train Services Resume After Arson Attack Disruptions

Police and railway workers inspect damage to the high-speed rail network, Paris, July 26, 2024. Photo: X/ @khaled_fr

July 26, 2024 Hour: 9:23 am

Around 800,000 passengers were affected by the attacks, with some trains diverted and many canceled.

Transport Minister Patrice Vergriete confirmed that the Intercity High-Speed Rail Service (TGV) is gradually resuming after severe disruptions caused by arson attacks, with one-third of the trains expected to be operational by Friday afternoon.

Previously, TGV traffic on the Atlantic, Northern, and Eastern routes was severely disrupted due to arson attacks targeting installations, reported the National Company of the French Railways (SNCF).

Around 800,000 passengers were affected by the attacks, with some trains diverted and many canceled. International travel through the English Channel and to neighboring Belgium has also been disrupted.

Despite the attacks, the opening ceremony of the Paris Olympic Games on Friday evening will proceed unaffected, as the incidents have no impact on the transport network in the Paris region, confirmed Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo.

🚨🇫🇷MAP SHOWS EXTENT OF ATTACKS ON FRENCH TRAIN NETWORK

The coordinated attacks targeted the TGV high-speed rail network that links Paris with the main regions of France.

Although an attack was attempted on the southeast line, it was prevented by staff.

The attacks were timed… pic.twitter.com/tmGeZdaEJS
— ChoosyBluesy (@ChoosyBluesy) July 26, 2024

“Our intelligence services and law enforcement agencies are mobilized to find and punish the perpetrators of these criminal acts,” Prime Minister Gabriel Attal stated.

“This operation was well prepared and coordinated. Key points were attacked, which shows knowledge of the train network,” he added, admitting that the impact of the attacks on the TGV system was massive and stranded hundreds of thousands of people.

The attacks took place between 1:00 and 5:30 a.m. on Friday morning and involved setting fire to signalling systems on high-speed train lines. The Paris prosecutor’s office is currently leading an investigation into four offences.

All this has happened just hours before the opening ceremony of the 2024 Olympic Games, which have completely disrupted the normal functioning of Paris. At the moment, car traffic is almost completely suspended in the city centre, which is cordoned off in anticipation of the presence of 600,000 spectators.