Service on three high-speed train lines in France was disrupted on Friday because of arson, the national railway company said, causing travel chaos on the day of the Opening Ceremony of the Olympics.
“A massive attack took place last night to paralyze the high-speed rail network,” the S.N.C.F. said in a statement. “Deliberate fires were set on the Atlantic, Northern and Eastern lines to damage our installations."
The company said traffic was “severely disrupted” on those lines. Many trains were canceled, it added, and advised travelers to postpone their trips if possible.
Patrice Vergriete, France’s transportation minister, said in a statement that “coordinated malicious acts” had targeted several of the country’s high-speed rail lines.