Insights from Sky News and Le Monde
The news
A series of arson attacks have hit France’s railways just hours before the opening ceremony of the Paris Olympics on Friday, in what authorities described as large-scale “coordinated malicious actions… aimed at paralysing the network.”
Passengers are facing huge delays after major high-speed lines, including the Eurostar between London and Paris, were disrupted. Delays are expected to continue throughout the weekend.
Prosecutors in Paris opened a probe to arson, which they claim undermines “fundamental national interests.” If convicted, it could result in a prison sentence of up to 20 years.
SIGNALS
Opening ceremony brings security challenges
Instead of holding the Olympics opening ceremony in a stadium, France is launching the Games along the banks of the River Seine. It’s an unprecedented start to the Olympics and marks unique security challenges for Paris. Nearly half a million spectators are expected and anti-terrorism police will cordon off the riverbank and sail across the Seine by boat, Sky News reported. Meanwhile, snipers will be placed on the roofs of nearby buildings, special forces will be deployed and central Paris will be designated a temporary no-fly zone.
Barriers prohibit access to river without permission
More than 40,000 steel barriers have been erected along the Seine, blocking access to the waterway for anyone who cannot produce a QR code proving they have permission to enter the area. “Rarely in peacetime has the French capital such high levels of security,” Le Monde noted. On average, 30,000 security personnel are on patrol on any given day, with as many as 45,000 on “peak days” during the Games. “Everything is going according to plan,” a police official told the newspaper before the arson attacks. “At the moment, we have no particular fears, but we are obviously remaining vigilant.”