Arsonists deliberately set fire to facilities along the high-speed lines that connect the capital with the west, north and east of the country, the state railway company SNCF said on Friday. The attacks were carried out during the night.
The Eurostar, which connects London with the continent through the English Channel, is also affected by the cancellations. Trains to and from Paris are being diverted, the train company Eurostar announced. The delay is 90 minutes. Several trains have been cancelled.
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Sports Minister Amelie Oudea-Castera condemned the vandalism. “It is absolutely appalling,” she told television station BFMTV. “Targeting the Games means targeting France.”
Background unclear
The route to the Stade de France, one of the venues for the Olympic Games, is also currently closed. Repairs are being carried out. However, the restrictions could last the whole weekend. The SNCF speaks of “several simultaneous malicious acts”. The background was initially unclear.
The opening ceremony of the Olympic Games will take place in Paris on Friday evening. Huge numbers of spectators are expected in the metropolis for the pompous ceremony along the Seine. The organizers are expecting around 300,000 people on the banks. Around 120 heads of state and government and representatives are expected to attend the opening ceremony.
The unique event will be secured by around 45,000 security personnel. The airspace within a 150-kilometer radius of Paris will be closed for the evening. The areas of the Seine where the parade will take place will be largely closed to car traffic.
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Source: Nachrichten
