Saboteurs have caused damage to railway infrastructure near the city of Bologna in northern Italy on Saturday morning, leading to disruptions in train services during the initial full day of the Winter Olympics, as reported by the Transport Ministry. Police confirmed three separate incidents at various locations, resulting in significant delays of over two hours for high-speed, intercity, and regional train operations.
The ministry characterized the sabotage as a “serious act” that mirrored the disruption seen on the opening day of the 2024 Summer Olympic Games in Paris, where saboteurs targeted France’s high-speed TGV train network, causing widespread travel disturbances. Despite these events, the ministry, headed by Deputy Prime Minister Matteo Salvini, emphasized that such unprecedented actions do not diminish Italy’s global reputation, which the Games are set to enhance positively.
The state-owned railway Ferrovie dello Stato (FS) had to temporarily shut down its high-speed station in Bologna, but services were gradually returning to normal by Saturday afternoon. Police disclosed that a track switch cabin was set on fire near the city of Pesaro at dawn, while electrical cables vital for detecting train speeds were found cut in Bologna. Additionally, a basic explosive device was uncovered near a track in close proximity.
Although no group has claimed responsibility for these coordinated incidents, a spokesperson acknowledged the serious nature of the events. Bologna serves as a critical interchange for Italy’s east-to-west railway connections and acts as a vital link connecting southern cities like Milan and Venice to the northern regions. Milan, a host city for the Winter Games alongside Cortina, can be accessed by train from Venice.