Five locations around Paris were attacked at the same time • “Massive and comprehensive attack”
Everything was prepared for today’s Olympic opening.
Streets had been cordoned off, subway stations were closed and tens of thousands of police patrolled the streets.
Then the city was attacked from outside.
Knew where they would strike
“This is a massive and comprehensive attack that aimed to paralyze train traffic,” writes the train operator SNCF in a statement.
In five locations around the capital, electrical cabinets and cables were sabotaged early in the morning.
– What we know is that the attack was aimed at the train’s nerve centers. They knew where to strike, says French Prime Minister Gabriel Attal.
– I can’t say more about who we think did this, says Gabriel Attal.
“Maybe” Russia
Suspicion quickly turned to Russia, which is barred from the Olympics and has been revealed to be behind a massive disinformation campaign ahead of the championships.
Last week, a Russian man was arrested who, according to the French authorities, intended to “destabilize the championships”.
To a direct question from a press briefing, French Sports Minister Amelie Oudea-Castera replied “maybe” if she believed Russia was behind the attacks on the railway.
Extensive repair work has been going on throughout the day and is believed to be completed shortly.