Arsonists have carried out attacks on France’s high-speed train network causing major travel disruption ahead of the Paris Olympics opening ceremony.
The state-owned railway operator SNCF said fires had been set at installations along the lines connecting the capital with the country’s west, north and east and services would be severely impacted during the weekend.
Eurostar has also said services between London and Paris were being diverted, with several trains cancelled and journey times increased by 90 minutes.
Sports minister Amelie Oudea-Castera condemned the vandalism, which she referred to as “a sort of coordinated sabotage”.
She said: “It’s completely appalling.
“To target the games is to target France.”
She added: “It will disrupt this day and probably this weekend as well.”
SNCF said in a statement: “Last night, the SNCF was victim of several acts of vandalism on the Atlantic, Northern and Eastern high-speed lines.
“Fires were deliberately set to damage our installations.”
Eurostar said in a statement: “Due to coordinated acts of malice in France, affecting the high speed line between Paris and Lille, all high speed trains going to and coming from Paris are being diverted via the classic line today Friday 26 July.
“This extends the journey time by around an hour and a half.
“Several trains have been cancelled.”
Many families on both sides of the Channel were also heading on summer holidays on Friday.
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