Paris-Germany Trains Mostly Back On Schedule After Arson Attacks

 PARIS, July 27 (Bernama-dpa) -- Train services between Paris and Germany have resumed their normal schedule following recent arson attacks on the high-speed railway in France, the German railway operator Deutsche Bahn said on Saturday, according to the German news agency (dpa).

Passengers affected by cancellations and disruptions can use their tickets at a later date, the railway said, but seat reservations are still required for trains to France.

There will still be occasional cancellations and delays on the route from Cologne via Brussels to Paris over the weekend.

According to the French railway company SNCF, seven out of 10 trains can now run again on this route northwards, as well as on the route from Paris towards Brittany and the Atlantic coast, which were also affected by the attacks.

However, delays of one to two hours are still expected.

Arsonists placed incendiary devices at various key locations of the French high-speed rail network in the early hours of Friday.

Train services were severely disrupted shortly before the opening of the Olympic Games in Paris, but the opening ceremony itself was not badly affected. 

Meanwhile in London, Eurostar passengers faced continued disruption on Saturday following the arson attacks.

The rail operator, which runs international services from London St Pancras, said one in four of its trains would not run over the weekend.

Four trains from London to Paris were cancelled on Saturday, affecting thousands of passengers, with disruption expected to last until Monday.

Travellers were advised to postpone their journeys where possible.

Only a handful of seats were available to book on the remaining London to Paris Eurostar services on Saturday, while tickets for overnight coaches arriving in the French capital on Sunday morning were selling for as much as £197 (US$254) through Flixbus.

The disruption came as the Paris 2024 Olympic Games got under way and as millions were expected to embark on summer getaways.

Among those affected on Friday was Prime Minister Keir Starmer, who was to travel on the Eurostar for the Games’ opening ceremony but flew to Paris instead.

The company said customers were being informed via email, text and on the Eurostar website. Any affected passengers can cancel or refund their tickets or modify their journey free of charge.

-- BERNAMA-dpa