French railway repairs finalized after sabotage as security enhanced for Olympic Games

By Seyma Uzundere

ANKARA (AA) – France’s national railway company said Sunday that repairs have been completed on train tracks damaged by arson which affected nearly 800,000 passengers late last week.

SNCF announced that the repair work was carried out over the past two days following the sabotage attempt affecting high-speed rail lines to Paris.

Additional security measures are in place as authorities continue to search for the perpetrators.

The disruptions occurred just before the Olympic Games opening ceremony on July 26.

Train tracks were set on fire in Pagny-sur-Moselle, Courtalain and Croisilles across France. An arson attempt on the Vergigny railway line was thwarted.

Around 800,000 passengers were affected by the disruptions to the lines.

The Olympics, which run until Aug. 11, are expected to attract around 16 million tourists, with 10,500 athletes participating.

*Writing by Gizem Nisa Cebi in Istanbul