Dutch railway network paralyzed by deliberate sabotage... Authorities begin investigation

On the 15th (local time), the German news agency dpa reported that the railway network in the central and northern Netherlands was almost paralyzed due to intentional sabotage.

A spokesperson for railway operator Prorail told the local ANP news agency that obstacles such as pipes were discovered in about 30 places on the railway, which disrupted train operations in a wide area, mainly in the central and eastern regions, causing great inconvenience to tens of thousands of citizens on their way to work.

Train operations in areas where tracks were blocked, such as near Zwolle and between Utrecht and Hauda, ​​were completely halted, and international trains traveling to and from Germany were also reported to have been affected.

Pro Rail said, "The object in question was intentionally installed by someone, and is a sabotage of railway infrastructure," and explained that it is currently unknown who did it or what the motive for this act was.

National rail operator NS said train services around major cities such as Zwolle, Deventer and Amersfoort had been disrupted during rush hour, but train services were gradually resuming.

On this day, the railway network was paralyzed, causing malfunctions in crossing devices, causing a series of blows to road traffic. The Associated Press reported that traffic flow resumed after the obstacle blocking the track was removed around 3 p.m. local time.

Dutch Prime Minister Rob Yetton criticized the incident, calling it "an act that is causing chaos and endangering lives."

“Now we must calmly wait for the results of the police investigation,” Yeaton said, adding, “Police and security authorities are making all efforts to track down the culprits.”

The Dutch intelligence agency AIVD announced that it had begun an investigation together with the police and prosecutors.

Coincidentally, the rail network paralysis occurred on the day when the official opening ceremony of the Dutch parliament was held. King Willem-Alexander officially declared a new session of parliament this afternoon and gave a speech revealing the government's budget plan for next year.

In recent months, widespread protests have taken place in the Netherlands over next year's government budget. Labor unions protested against the reduction of social welfare benefits, and farmers expressed their dissatisfaction, saying they were being unfairly singled out as responsible for nitrogen pollution.

Angry farmers were also seen protesting on this day by lighting haystacks on fire throughout the roads.