France’s high-speed rail network has suffered major disruption due to coordinated “malicious acts,” including arson attacks, just hours before the Paris Olympics opening ceremony.

The state-owned railway operator, SNCF, reported that arsonists targeted installations along the lines connecting Paris with the west, north, and east of the country, causing severe disruptions across the network over the weekend.

“This is a massive attack on a large scale to paralyze the TGV network,” SNCF told Agence France-Presse, adding that many routes would be canceled and the disruptions would last “at least all weekend while repairs are conducted.”

SNCF revealed it had been “the victim of several simultaneous malicious acts overnight,” affecting its Atlantic, northern, and eastern lines, with crucial cables cut and burned. “Arson attacks were started in order to damage our facilities,” SNCF stated, noting that traffic on the affected lines was “heavily disrupted.” An additional attack on the southeastern line was reportedly averted.

Approximately 800,000 French holidaymakers will experience travel disruptions this weekend. Jean-Pierre Farandou, head of the SNCF, described it as a “sad day,” emphasizing that families would be the worst affected by what he termed as attacks by “irresponsible cranks.”

Eurostar trains from London to Paris have also been impacted, with some cancellations and delays. “Due to coordinated acts of malice in France affecting the high-speed line between Paris and Lille, all high-speed trains going to and from Paris are being diverted via the classic line,” a statement said.

The attacks appeared to be meticulously planned and targeted at strategic points on the rail network.

Sports Minister Amélie Oudéa-Castéra condemned the vandalism, saying, “It’s completely appalling. To target the games is to target France.”

Valérie Pécresse, head of the Ile-de-France region, including Paris and its surrounding area, stated, “Clearly this attack is not a coincidence; it aimed to destabilize France at the moment the Olympic and Paralympic games are launched.”

Transport Minister Patrice Vergriete said there had been “coordinated malicious acts” against several lines overnight, condemning these “criminal actions” that would “compromise many French people’s departure on holiday.”

French holidaymakers, particularly those traveling during one of the major departure weekends of the summer holidays, are expected to be the hardest hit by these incidents.

Several Olympic events, including football matches, are scheduled to take place in locations outside Paris, such as Nantes and Bordeaux, which are connected to the capital by major rail lines.

Crowds of passengers were stranded at stations, including Gare Montparnasse in Paris, after their trains were canceled.

Laurent Nuñez, the prefect overseeing Paris policing, stated that more police were being diverted to stations in Paris on Friday due to the large numbers of stranded passengers.

There has been no immediate claim of responsibility for the arson attacks.