The local mayor of Croisilles, Gerard Due, explained the background of arsonists attacking three high-speed rail lines, which resulted in chaotic railway traffic during the Olympic Games. As the New York Times reported, Due said, “In the dark early morning, they cut into a fence protecting the high-speed rail line outside Croisilles. Once past the fence, the culprits soldered open the metal protective cover of a culvert alongside the tracks. Then, they poured flammable liquid and set a fire, damaging around 40 cables.” The arsonists also disrupted the rail lines at two other sights east and west of Paris. Working against the clock to try and fix the rails on the day of the opening ceremony for the Paris Olympics, France’s national railway company, S.N.C.F Voyageurs, was able to have the trains into Paris running back on schedule. With Paris set to have so much traffic hosting the 2024 Summer Olympics, the question of who did this rose. As the New York Times reported, Axel Persson, a train driver and union leader on slower rails with S.N.C.F., said, “These people know what to look for. They hit specific cables, passing information to traffic controllers and supervisors to learn what’s happening on the high-speed lines. They seem to have been quite precise in their work.” They have yet to track down who is behind this attack; however, the investigation is underway with 1,000 railway workers, 250 railway security agents, 50 drones, and several police helicopters to monitor France’s railway network. NPR reporter Eleanor Beardsley spoke with French Prime Minister Gabriel Attal about the situation, who claimed that this attack was prepared and coordinated by someone who knows the high-speed rail system well. Beardsley, currently reporting from Paris, France, gave insight into the investigation led by the “Paris prosecutor, the criminal divisions, the anti-terrorist division, and French intelligence.”

Many believe that foreign involvement is behind the arson attacks on the French railway, with many reporters and investigators placing blame on the Russians. Due to the war in Ukraine, Russia is unable to compete in the Olympic Games, with many presuming they may have motives to sabotage the games in Paris this summer. After officials were warned, European officials have been on high alert about possible sabotage attacks in Europe. No one has claimed responsibility; however, French Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin said, “We have uncovered a certain number of elements which lead us to believe that we will know fairly quickly who is responsible,” as reported by Reuters. Fingers have also been pointed to far-left activists and environmentalists. The Monday following the attacks, a man was arrested in Normandy, who is believed to be behind the attacks. His name has not been released, but he is linked to an ultra-left political persona, as reported by A.B.C. 

This is not the first time European countries have been on high alert for foreign disturbances or attacks this summer. Germany prepared for extremely severe operations in June as it hosted the Euro 2024 championships. During the Sumer Olympics, France had already geared up security measures ahead of the Olympics. They currently have intelligence, anti-terrorists, and police working to find the culprit of the arson attacks on the rail line. As international conflicts continue to cause disruption, other nations have to prepare for more significant security threats and take serious measures to amp up security when large amounts of tourists are expected.