Sabotage Cripples French Trains

Negotiations reopen, but fires, cable damage shut down network
By Jason Farago,  Newser Staff
Posted Nov 21, 2007 6:53 AM CST
Sabotage Cripples French Trains
A coordinated sabotage campaign has prevented the French railway system from returning to normal.   (Getty Images (by Event))

France's transit strike turned ugly in its second week, as widespread sabotage to the country's high-speed rail network created huge delays to already crippled services. The Financial Times reports that while the majority of railway workers are now back on the job pending negotiations, fires and damaged cables have prevented the national rail service from returning to normal.

The head of the national rail company refused to speculate who was behind the "concerted campaign of sabotage" but regretted that more militant unions might try to damage the railway system. The acts occurred overnight across France, damaging miles of track on the TGV tracks. The leading transit unions, who meet with the country's labor minister today, have deplored the sabotage. (More transit strike stories.)

Get the news faster.
Tap to install our app.
X
Install the Newser News app
in two easy steps:
1. Tap in your navigation bar.
2. Tap to Add to Home Screen.

X