Paris Olympics 2024: Vandalism Hits Communication Lines In France

Multiple telecommunications lines in France have been damaged in acts of vandalism, affecting fibre lines and fixed and mobile phone lines, the French government has said.

The incidents come as cities across France host events for the 2024 Paris Olympics, but it is unclear whether any Olympic activities have been impacted. The vandalism came after arson attacks hit train networks around France on Friday, hours before the Olympics opening ceremony.

Secretary of State for Digital Affairs, Marina Ferrari, said damage in several regions overnight on Sunday affected telecommunications operators, resulting in localised disruptions to fibre lines and fixed and mobile telephone lines.

She posted on X: “Damages committed in several departments last night affected our telecommunications operators. They have localised consequences on access to fibre, fixed telephony and mobile telephony. Under my supervision, the Center for Defense Electronic Communications cooperates with operators until communications and services are fully restored.”

“I condemn in the strongest terms these cowardly and irresponsible acts. Thank you to the teams mobilised this morning to carry out repairs and restore damaged sites to service.”

A French police official told news agency AP at least six of France’s administrative departments were affected, which include the region around the Mediterranean city of Marseille, hosting Olympic soccer and sailing competitions.

Earlier on Friday, arsonists burned through fibre-optic cables at installations along the high-speed TGV lines connecting Paris with the country’s west, north and east.

It led to severe disruption throughout the country and the cancellation of Eurostar services, although the transport secretary, Patrice Vergriete, said all trains on the French high-speed rail network were running normally on Monday.

France’s interior minister has suggested that far-left activists were behind the sabotage.

Gérald Darmanin Darmanin told the TV channel France 2: “This is the traditional mode of action of the far left. We must be careful, the question is whether they were manipulated or is it for their own benefit. There are people who can approach this movement.”