Paris Deploys Additional Police Amid Disruptions to Rail Services Ahead of Olympics
TEHRAN (Tasnim) - Paris police chief Laurent Nunez announced an increase in security at Paris train stations following attacks on SNCF railway lines, leading to severe travel disruptions.
Paris police chief Laurent Nunez stated that additional forces will be stationed at Paris train stations on Friday to enhance security.
This move comes in response to significant disruptions caused by attacks on SNCF railway lines overnight, according to Anadolu .
Nunez informed Franceinfo that large crowds are currently stranded at the stations due to the severe disruptions.
The French railway company SNCF reported that its rail lines were vandalized ahead of the Paris Olympics opening ceremony.
SNCF said on X, “The SNCF was victim overnight of several simultaneous malicious acts on LGV Atlantique, North & East.”
It added, “Deliberate fires were started to damage our facilities.”
However, SNCF noted that its LGV Southeast high-speed line was unaffected, and an act of vandalism was prevented.
The company’s teams are working on repairs, but high-speed traffic remains severely disrupted on certain routes.
Passengers have been advised to postpone their travel plans.
According to French broadcaster BFMTV, Eurostar services were also affected.
Damage included rail location cabinets, and cables were set on fire and cut on northern and eastern lines.
Approximately 800,000 passengers were affected, and Montparnasse station will remain closed until at least 1 p.m. (1100GMT), local media reported.
Sports Minister Amelie Oudea-Castera told BFMTV that disruptions are expected to continue today and possibly through the weekend.
She described the incidents as likely coordinated sabotage, though she urged caution as the situation is still under analysis.
Oudea-Castera condemned the acts as "deplorable," emphasizing that such actions undermine the Games and France.
Transport Minister Patrice Vergriete also condemned the "coordinated malicious acts" impacting holiday travel and thanked the SNCF teams working to resolve the issues.
The Paris 2024 Olympic Games are set to officially begin with Friday's opening ceremony on the River Seine, though football, archery, and rugby events have already commenced.
