Rail traffic paralyzed in the Netherlands after suspicion of sabotage
Tubes attached to railway tracks were discovered in several locations, causing significant disruption.
Quick Look
Train traffic is largely paralyzed in the Netherlands after tubes were found attached to tracks at at least seven sites, raising suspicions of coordinated sabotage.
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Why It Matters
Tubes have been discovered on Dutch railway tracks, causing major traffic disruptions.
Train traffic was largely paralyzed on Tuesday in the Netherlands, after the discovery in several places of tubes attached to railway tracks, the authorities suspecting coordinated acts of sabotage.
The disruptions mainly affect the center and east of the country, but also certain areas in the north. At least seven sites were investigated, and malfunctions were reported at around twenty locations. “Objects were found in several places on the tracks, where they were placed deliberately,” rail network manager ProRail said in a press release. “This causes section malfunctions. It appears to be sabotage,” the operator added.
A train hit one of the tubes, but there were no injuries, said ProRail spokesperson Joke van der Cruysen. These alleged sabotages also had repercussions on road traffic, with level crossings also being disrupted. ProRail's computer systems interpret any object on the track to mean that the section in question is occupied, even if there is no train, the company said.
Open Questions
- Who is responsible for these acts of sabotage?
- What measures will be taken to secure the network?
