French train networks partially restored after railway line sabotage ahead of Olympics

Soldiers patrol outside the Gare du Nord train station during the 2024 Summer Olympics, Friday, July 26, 2024, in Paris, France. Hours away from the grand opening ceremony of the Olympics, high-speed rail service into the French capital was severely disrupted on Friday by what officials described as “criminal actions” and sabotage. (AP Photo/Mark Baker)

PARIS (AP) — French railway company SNCF said Saturday that progress had been made in partially restoring high-speed train services after sabotage disrupted three key lines ahead of the Olympic Games opening ceremony on the Seine River on Friday night.

SNCF said its agents worked through the night in adverse weather conditions to improve TGV traffic from the north, east and west to Paris. Normal service had resumed on the eastern high-speed line from Saturday morning.

“On the high-speed lines North, Brittany and Southwest, an average of seven out of ten trains will run with a delay of one to two hours,” said SNCF.

The company added that traffic on the Northern Axis will still be disrupted on Sunday, but conditions on the Atlantic Axis are expected to improve for weekend returns. Customers are being contacted by SMS and email to confirm the operation of their trains.

Despite the disruptions, SNCF said all transport for Olympic teams and accredited personnel will continue as planned.

The sabotage incidents have raised security concerns as Paris hosts the Olympic Games. French authorities are actively investigating, but say no suspects have been identified or arrested so far.