Far-left extremists are likely behind the sabotage of railway lines in France on the opening day of the Paris Olympics, France 24 reported.
Le Figaro newspaper reported that an activist linked to an extreme left-wing movement was arrested on Sunday at a “railway facility” in Oissel. The suspect was allegedly in possession of keys to SNCF technical premises, tools and leftist literature, AFP news agency reported, citing police sources.
Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin said the saboteurs’ methods bore the hallmarks of left-wing extremists. Darmanin told France 2 TV:
“We have identified the profiles of several people. This is the traditional type of action of the ultra left.”
However, Darmanin cautioned against jumping to conclusions as the perpetrators may have been manipulated. He also added:
“We must be cautious.”
On the night of Friday, unknown assailants attacked the TGV high-speed train network across France. The National Railways Company (SNCF) reported a series of arson attacks on the power grid, BFM TV reported that signal cabinets on three lines were damaged and cables along the tracks were cut. This led to widespread disruptions hours before the opening ceremony of the Games, affecting some 800,000 passengers. Many trains were delayed or cancelled. Repairs to the railway tracks were completed on Sunday, with trains running on schedule by the morning of July 29.
An AFP source close to the investigation said the attack was carefully planned and organised by a “single structure,” Darmanin earlier expressed confidence that it was prepared in France and not from outside. A number of French media outlets have obtained emails from a group called the “Unknown Delegation” claiming responsibility for the series of sabotage and opposing the Olympics.
Transport Minister Patrice Vergriete said the cost of the sabotage was “very likely” to be in the millions of euros. He told broadcaster RTL that the sum included “commercial losses” and “repair costs.”
In relation to the incident, Darmanin said 50 drones, 250 railway security agents and 1,000 repair workers had been deployed to bolster security on the 28,000-kilometre (17,400-mile) high-speed train network.
Darmanin also confirmed that authorities had arrested 45 members of the direct action environmental group Extinction Rebellion. They were planning to hold protests against the social and environmental impact of the Olympics.
Meanwhile, police said on Monday that the fibre optic networks of several telecoms operators had been “sabotaged” in six areas of France.
