Everything we know about France’s Olympic rail chaos as Kremlin responds to arrest of Russian citizen

Saboteurs have launched a “malicious” arson assault on France’s rail networks simply hours earlier than the beginning of the Paris Olympic Video games.

Eurostar prospects have been advised to cancel their journeys the place attainable after “coordinated” vandalism brought about disruption to excessive velocity rail routes into the French capital on Friday.

The rail operator, which runs worldwide providers from London St Pancras, stated on Friday a number of trains to Paris had been cancelled and others have been diverted or topic to delays due to the continuing points over the Channel.

The chief government of France’s rail operator SNCF stated the “French are underneath assault”, after a collection of fires introduced trains to a halt,

Observe ourlive weblog for the most recent updates on French journey distruption

What occurred?

In a single day, arsonists carried out assaults on the high-speed line between Lille in northern France on what can be one of many busiest days of the 12 months for Eurostar trains between the UK and French capitals.

French rail firm SNCF stated a collection of incidents in a single day had affected journey to and from London beneath the Channel, to Belgium and throughout the west, north and east of France.

Three fires have been reported close to the tracks of the French Atlantique, Nord and Est high-speed traces by native media.

A spokesperson for Eurostar stated: “Attributable to coordinated acts of malice in France, affecting the excessive velocity line between Paris and Lille, all excessive velocity trains going to and coming from Paris are being diverted through the basic line in the present day Friday 26 July.

“This extends the journey time by round an hour and a half. A number of trains have been cancelled.

“Eurostar’s groups are absolutely mobilised in stations, within the name facilities, and onboard to make sure that all passengers are knowledgeable and might attain their vacation spot.”

How many individuals are affected and might you get a refund?

The disruption may see as much as 800,000 passengers dealing with delays over the weekend, with as much as 250,000 affected simply earlier than the Olympics opening ceremony is ready to happen on the River Seine on Friday.

One in 4 Eurostar trains will now be cancelled on Friday and over the weekend.

It’s unattainable to modify to flights, as a result of all three Paris airports can be closed from Friday afternoon as a safety precaution. Hundreds of thousands of French travellers can be affected.

Any affected passengers can cancel or refund their tickets or modify their journey freed from cost, however only a few trains can be found within the subsequent 48 hours.

SNCF stated the state of affairs ought to final “at the least all weekend”, however that groups have been already on web site finishing up checks and starting repairs.

The operator suggested all its passengers to postpone their journeys and “to not go to the station”.

Who’s accountable and the way have the French authorities responded?

A Russian nationwide was arrested on Wednesday on suspiction of planning to sabotage the Olympic Video games.

French police arrested a 40-year-old Russian man who it stated was concerned in plots to destabilise the Olympics.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov stated on Friday that Moscow had learn “curious info” concerning the arrest, however wanted extra info from authorities in Paris.

It’s presently unclear whether or not the 2 incidents are associated.

France’s intelligence and safety forces have been “mobilised” in response to the arson assaults, in line with Prime Minister Gabriel Attal.

Chatting with Sky Information, French sports activities minister Amelie Oudea-Castera stated: “I condemn them extraordinarily strongly. It’s simply unacceptable.

“It’s in all probability a large-scale sabotage with some malicious acts, in all probability co-ordinating.”

Transport minister Patrice Vergriete stated in a publish on X that he “firmly condemns these legal incidents” and that SNCF was working to revive providers.

Jean-Pierre Farandou, the chief government of SNCF, stated the plans of 1000’s who had hoped to come back to Paris for the video games had been “ruined”.

“We’re completely sorry that we aren’t capable of run the trains anticipated by the French folks. As we speak, it’s the large departures which might be being attacked, it’s the French which might be being attacked,” Mr Farandou advised BFMTV.

Further reporting by companies