Arson attacks cause significant disruption to Paris rail network ahead of Olympics opening
After a series of arson attacks, France's rail network was thrown into chaos just hours before the nation officially opened the 2024 Summer Olympics.
Following the incidents, travelers have been advised to postpone their trips if possible. France’s Minister Delegate of Transport, Patrice Vergriete, described the incidents as “coordinated malicious acts.”
The arson attacks that occurred between 1 a.m. and 5:30 a.m. local time have affected several TGV lines (France's intercity high-speed rail service). Paris' prosecutor's office has opened an investigation.
According to France’s national, state-owned railway operator SNCF, services are expected to be severely affected throughout the weekend after fires were set at various points along lines connecting Paris to the west, north and east. According to reports, the fires appear to have targeted electrical or signaling boxes.
The organization posted a statement on the social media platform X and said “Last night, SNCF was the victim of several acts of vandalism on the Atlantic, Northern and Eastern high-speed lines.”
"I am thinking of all the French who won't be able to go on holiday today or those who will leave in worse conditions," said SNCF CEO Jean-Pierre Farandou in an interview with the French news network BFMTV. "It will certainly last the whole weekend because it will take a long time to fix ... it's a day of sadness."
Eurostar also faces significant disruption along the high-speed line connecting Paris and Lille. Delays are expected to extend the usual journey time by up to an hour and a half, and they've already sparked a slew of cancellations.
The Eurostar website is showing extensive delays across all its services throughout today — there are also at least 11 cancellations. The most affected services currently appear to be connections between Brussels and Paris.
“Due to coordinated malicious acts 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,” a Eurostar spokesperson said. “Eurostar's teams are fully mobilized in stations, in the call centers, and onboard to ensure that all passengers are informed and can reach their destination.”
The rail company is encouraging its passengers to postpone their trips if they can, allowing them to cancel without penalty and giving full refunds. If they so choose, passengers also have the option to change the dates of their journey.
A Eurostar spokesperson told TPG that the train operator expects to cancel around 25% of its planned schedule over the weekend, with disruption stretching into Monday morning.
According to Reuters, EuroAirport Basel Mulhouse Freiburg (BSL), which is jointly operated by France and Switzerland, temporarily grounded flights and evacuated a terminal this morning following a bomb threat. It is unclear whether the incident was related to the earlier rail arson attacks; the airport has reopened.
“For safety reasons, the terminal had to be evacuated and is currently closed. Flight operations have been temporarily suspended," the airport said on X. “Passengers are requested to contact their airline for information about their flight.”
Amélie Oudéa-Castéra, the French Minister of Sports and Olympic and Paralympic Games, said authorities are working to "evaluate the impact on travelers and athletes and ensure the transport of all delegations to the competition sites."
It is unclear just how long it will take to get rail services fully operational again, and there is no indication of who may be responsible for the attacks. This is a developing story, which we will update as we learn more.
Bottom line
With the opening of the 2024 Paris Olympics — one of the most anticipated international events of the year — today was supposed to be a day celebration in France. However, the event has been marred by a series of arson attacks that have severely affected French rail operations. The disruptions are expected to continue into the weekend, and rail passengers are advised to postpone their trips if possible.
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There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
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- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
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- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.