France: High-Speed Rail Vandalised Ahead Of Olympic Ceremony (image@NecoBus_8110)

While only hours remaining for the opening of the Paris Olympics, French rail company SNCF says its high-speed network has been targeted by “malicious acts” aimed at paralysing the system. Number of trains have been cancelled and the SNCF ‘(Société Nationale des Chemins de fer Français’ – France’s national state-owned railway company) has warned that the situation could last “at least all weekend while repairs are conducted”, reported BBC.

Queues have formed at Gare Montparnasse station which serves destinations to the west of the capital. Many high-speed TGV lines have been hit to the west, north and east of Paris.

Patrice Vergriete, the country Transport Minister has strongly condemned “criminal acts” that he said would affect people’s holiday plans.

Amélie Oudéa-Castéra, France’s Sports Minister said the attack was “downright appalling”. He said that “downright appalling”. SNCF said fires had been set alight aimed at damaging its facilities. A source close to the investigation told AFP news agency that the attack involved acts of “sabotage”.

Repairs were underway but traffic would be severely disrupted until at least the end of the weekend. Trains were being sent back to their points of departure.

France is leaving no stones unturned. Paris is rolling out an unprecedented peacetime security operation to secure the event, with more than 45,000 police, 10,000 soldiers and 2,000 private security agents deployed. Snipers will be on rooftops and drones keeping watch from the air.