Insights from Sky News and Le Monde
The news
A series of arson attacks hit French railways hours before the Olympics opening ceremony in Paris on Friday, with authorities describing them as massive “coordinated malicious acts… aimed at paralyzing the network”.
Travelers face huge delays after major high-speed lines, including those serving Eurostar between London and Paris, were disrupted, delays expected to last throughout the weekend.
Prosecutors in Paris opened a probe in arson, which they argue undermines “fundamental national interests.” If a conviction is made, it would carry a sentence of up to 20 years in prison.
SIGNALS
Opening ceremony presents security challenges
Instead of hosting the opening ceremony of the Olympic Games in a stadium, France is launching the Games on the banks of the River Seine. It’s an unprecedented start to the Olympics and represents unique security challenges to Paris. Nearly half a million spectators are expected to attend, and anti-terrorism police will line the riverbanks and travel by boat along the Seine, Sky News reported. Meanwhile, snipers will be positioned on the rooftops of nearby buildings, special forces will be deployed and central Paris will be designated a temporary no-fly zone.
Barriers prohibit access to the river without authorization
More than 40,000 steel barriers have been erected along the Seine, blocking access to the waterway to anyone who cannot present a QR code proving they are authorized to enter the area. “Rarely in times of peace has the French capital experienced such high levels of security”, noted Le Monde. On average, 30,000 security officers are expected to be on patrol on any given day, with up to 45,000 on “peak” days during the Games. “Everything is going according to plan,” a police officer told the newspaper before the arson attacks. “At this stage, we have no specific fears, but we obviously remain vigilant.”
