The French government has reported that multiple telecommunications lines have been vandalized, impacting fiber lines, fixed, and mobile phone services in various regions of the country. These incidents occurred as cities across France are currently hosting events for the 2024 Paris Olympics. The extent of the damage and its potential impact on Olympic activities remain unclear at this time.
Marina Ferrari, the secretary of state in charge of digital affairs, revealed that the acts of vandalism occurred overnight from Sunday to Monday, affecting telecommunications operators in several regions. This resulted in localized disruptions to access to fiber lines, as well as fixed and mobile telephone services. Notably, telecom operators Bouygues and Free have confirmed that their services were among those affected, with reports indicating that lines operated by provider SFR were also targeted.
Authorities have disclosed that at least six administrative departments in France were impacted by the vandalism, including the region around Marseille, where Olympic soccer and sailing competitions are taking place. While the Paris 2024 Olympics organizers have refrained from immediate comment on the situation, efforts are underway to restore the affected services.
These incidents follow a series of arson attacks on train networks in France that occurred just hours before the opening ceremony of the Olympics. The disruptions caused travel chaos for nearly a million passengers in France, as well as affecting commuters in London and neighboring countries. Although train traffic has largely resumed by Monday, a national investigation is ongoing to address the sabotage.
Recent reports have indicated that an extreme-left activist was arrested at a rail facility in western France, though authorities have clarified that this arrest is unrelated to the train sabotage incidents from last week. As of now, no arrests have been made in connection to the national investigation into the arson attacks.
