Installations along the lines connecting the capital with major cities including Bordeaux and Lille were set on fire, according to state-owned railway operator SNCF.
In light of the incident and the long-lasting consequences set to affect the rail services for the next few days, the operator has issued a "do not travel" plea, urging people to postpone their journeys wherever they can.
Eurostar trains are also affected by the arson attack, with pictures showing St Pancras station in London mobbed by passengers hoping to board.
Eurostar services between London and Paris have been hit by the arson attacks, likely impacting hundreds of travellers just ahead of the Olympic weekend.
Several trains have been reportedly cancelled already, while others were diverted and journey times increased by 90 minutes.
Eurostar services between London and Paris have been impacted by the attacks (Image: PA)
Several Eurostar trains have been cancelled (Image: PA)
Champs-Elysees swarmed by cops, Eurostar chaos and 800,000 stranded
Police officers have swarmed the Champs-Elysées avenue in the heart of Paris after spotting an abandoned luggage at a pedestrian crossing.
Hours before the official beginning of the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, French journalist Samuel Levy published a photo on X showing a black bag left in the street, with several police officers surrounding it.
He wrote: "Suspicious package, luggage abandoned on Avenue des Champs-Elysées. Security perimeter operated by police and soldiers."
French official slams arson as 'coordinated malicious acts'
France's Transport Minister, Patrice Vergriete, denounced the arson as "coordinated malicious acts".
He wrote on X: "Coordinated malicious acts targeted several TGV lines last night and will seriously disrupt traffic until this weekend.
"I strongly condemn these criminal actions which will compromise the vacation departures of many French people. A big thank you to the #SNCF teams, on the bridge to restore traffic conditions as quickly as possible."
Des actes de malveillance coordonn\u00e9s ont vis\u00e9 cette nuit plusieurs lignes TGV et perturberont fortement le trafic jusqu\u2019\u00e0 ce week-end. Je condamne fermement ces agissements criminels qui vont compromettre les d\u00e9parts en vacances de nombreux Fran\u00e7ais. Un grand merci aux \u00e9quipes de\u2026
\u2014 Patrice Vergriete (@P_Vergriete) July 26, 2024
Warning as travel to be 'severely impacted' over the whole weekend
France's state-owned railway operator SNCF said the arson attacks are likely to impact timetables for days on end severely and urged people who can to postpone their journeys.
Some Paris stations are already filled to the brim in light of the arson attack that created major disruption along French rail lines.
Pictures from the Gare Montparnasse train station in Paris show hundreds of people crowding under the information boards hoping to get some fresh information about their scheduled travels.
Passengers gather around the departure boards at the Gare Montparnasse train station in Paris (Image: GETTY)
The arson attack sparked major delays (Image: Paris)
Good morning from London. I’m Alice Scarsi, I’ll be bringing you all the latest developments on the ongoing incidents in Paris.
Invalid email
We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you've consented to and to improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and 3rd parties based on our understanding. You can unsubscribe at any time. Read our Privacy Policy
1 month ago
11
English (US) · 