Olympics chaos: serious vandalism, rail network crippled

Three fires near the tracks, on the Atlantic, Northern and Eastern lines

Today è is the day of the Olympics opening ceremony. Thousands of people are already in Paris and many more are on their way to witness the first act of the five-ring event. Unfortunately, it will not be easy to get to Paris via train lines due to vandalism that has brought the entire network to its knees.

The Sncf rail group has, in fact, reported "malicious acts" which are resulting in several train cancellations and, above all, significant delays on the rail network. All this is also to the detriment of those who want to enjoy the opening ceremony on the Seine with the parade of 8,700 athletes from as many as 205 delegations on 84 boats (departure è scheduled from Pont d'Austerlitz starting at 7:30 p.m.).

Specifically, as many as three fires were reported near the tracks, on the Atlantic, Northern and Eastern lines. All of this caused a huge traffic problem, almost completely blocking Montparnasse station in Paris, one of six Sncf stations in Paris (the terminus of many high-speed trains).

"We are diverting some trains on conventional lines but we will have to cancel a large number of them", reads the press release issued by the Sncf entity, which also lets it be known that "this situation is expected to last at least through the weekend during repairs". No small problem on the very day when the spotlight is turned on the five-ring event.