There was a lot of uproar in France on Friday 26 July before the opening ceremony of Paris Olympics 2024. Many criminal incidents including arson have been carried out in many parts of the country. In Paris, officials were preparing to organize a parade on the banks of the Seine River, when incidents of arson took place near the tracks on the high-speed lines of Atlantic, Nord and Est. Due to this, the high-speed rail network came to a standstill. This has affected athletes and thousands of passengers. Apart from this, security threats have also started looming over the opening ceremony. French officials have condemned these attacks and started an investigation.

Two athletes return from the opening ceremony

Due to violent incidents in France, the high-speed rail network came to a standstill. Due to this, two German athletes had to return. Now they will not be able to participate in the opening ceremony in Paris. According to news agency DPA, two German athletes were going to Paris by train to participate in the opening ceremony, but due to the closure of the route, they had to return to Belgium. Philip Weishaupt, who was traveling with Christian Kukuk, cited not being able to reach on time as the reason for returning.

Intelligence officers engaged in investigation

Prime Minister Gabriel Attal has also given a statement regarding these incidents in France. According to him, all these incidents were well planned. He revealed that no one was injured in these incidents. Gabriel Attal said that French intelligence agencies have been put to work to find the criminals. A punishment of 15 to 20 years has also been announced if the culprits are caught.

Coming to Paris is difficult

French Transport Minister Patrice Vergrete said that the arson has halted several high-speed lines connecting Paris to the rest of France and neighboring countries. This is making it difficult for athletes and people to reach Paris. Vergrete informed that people were seen running away from the site of the arson and incendiary equipment has also been recovered. France's national rail company SNCF said that areas affecting rail track intersections were targeted so that the impact of the incidents could be doubled. Seeing the incident, the Prime Minister along with the Transport Minister and the rail company called this attack a well-planned one.