Moments after restoring transportation services disrupted by coordinated attacks ahead of the 2024 Paris Olympics, France has faced another setback: vandalism targeting telecommunications lines across multiple cities. The French government confirmed that the attack, which occurred overnight Sunday into Monday, affected fiber lines as well as mobile phone lines in cities hosting Olympic events. This incident follows arson attacks on train networks on July 26, just hours before the Olympics opening ceremony. Transport Minister Patrice Vergriete stated that rail services only fully recovered on Monday morning, with disruptions affecting 800,000 people, including 100,000 whose trains were completely canceled.
The extent to which the telecommunication line vandalism has impacted Olympic activities remains unclear. However, an Associated Press report noted that the incident is still under investigation. Secretary of state in charge of digital affairs, Marina Ferrari, described the attack as “cowardly and irresponsible” in a post on X, highlighting localized impacts on fiber and mobile phone lines across several regions. French police officials reported that at least six administrative departments were affected, including the Marseille region, which is hosting Olympic soccer and sailing competitions.
Telecom operators Bouygues and Free confirmed service disruptions, and reports in French media indicate that SFR lines were also affected. Free’s parent company has mobilized teams to restore services. A Reuters report quoted a spokesman for SFR, stating that vandals had cut their long-distance network in five locations across France. Despite the damage, the spokesman assured that the impact on clients was minimal due to the network’s ability to reroute traffic.
French authorities have also made an arrest related to the sabotage of the country’s high-speed rail network on Friday. Police apprehended an activist linked to an ultra-left movement in Oissel, northern France. The individual was found to possess access keys to SNCF technical premises, tools, and literature associated with the ultra-left, as reported by CBS News. With the Olympics in full swing, authorities face the challenge of ensuring the safety and security of these events while simultaneously addressing these incidents of vandalism and sabotage.
