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France’s high-speed train operator SNCF has suspended services across much of the country after being hit by sabotage attacks hours before the Olympic Games opening ceremony.
“Fires were set intentionally to damage our infrastructure, and teams of engineers are already on the ground working to solve the issue,” it said in a statement on Friday. “We will convert some normal-speed trains, but many trains will have to be cancelled.”
The incident will worry the organisers of the Paris summer games with hundreds of thousands of people expected in the capital for the opening ceremony on Friday evening.
Passengers have posted images on social media of crowded train stations in Paris after services were largely shut down.
“I firmly condemn these criminal acts that will disrupt many people’s travel,” said transport minister Patrice Vergriete, adding that trains would be affected through the weekend.
This is a developing story . . .