Paris Olympics 2024: Vandalism Hits Mobile Phone, Fiber Lines In France, Arson Attack Target Trains

A spectator takes a photo on their phone as athletes ride in a boats along the Seine River during the opening ceremony for the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris, France. (Image: AFP)

The vandalism affected telecom operators in France and caused localised impact on access to mobile phone and fiber lines.

The French government says multiple telecommunications lines have been hit by acts of vandalism, affecting fiber lines and fixed and mobile phone lines as cities around France are hosting events for the 2024 Paris Olympics.

The scale of the impact is unclear, as is whether it has affected any Olympic activities. The vandalism came after arson attacks hit train networks around France on Friday, hours before the Olympics opening ceremony.

Marina Ferrari, secretary of state in charge of digital affairs, posted on X that damage in several regions overnight Sunday to Monday affected telecommunications operators. She said that led to localized impact on access to fiber lines and fixed and mobile telephone lines.

Paris 2024 Olympics organizers would not immediately comment.

A French police official said at least six of France’s administrative departments were affected, which include the region around the Mediterranean city of Marseille, hosting Olympic soccer and sailing competitions.

Telecom operators Bouygues and Free confirmed their services were affected. French media reports said lines operated by provider SFR also were hit. The parent company of Free said its teams are mobilized to restore services.

(This story has not been edited by News18 staff and is published from a syndicated news agency feed - AFP)