France Rail Network Hit By Arson Attack Hours Before Paris Olympics Opening

Paris Olympics: Hours ahead of the opening ceremony of the Paris Olympics, France's high-speed rail network was hit by "malicious acts," including arson attacks, which led to disruptions in the transport system, train operator SNCF said on Friday. The attacks were coordinated acts of "sabotage," a source privy to the investigation in the matter told news agency AFP.

"This is a massive attack on a large scale to paralyse the TGV network," SNCF told AFP. The company further stated that many routes will have to be cancelled. "SNCF was the victim of several simultaneous malicious acts overnight," the national train operator said. The attacks affected its Atlantic, northern, and eastern lines, the operator further stated.

"Arson attacks were started to damage our facilities," it said, adding that traffic on the affected lines was "heavily disrupted" and the situation would last through the weekend as repairs are conducted. According to the statement, trains were being diverted to different tracks, "but we will have to cancel a large number of them."