Saboteurs cut fiber optic cables in multiple parts of France early Monday, disrupting internet and phone service as the country hosts the Summer Olympics in Paris.
Officials said the incident appeared to be coordinated.
“Large sections of cables were cut. You would have to use an axe or a grinder, Nicolas Chatin, spokesman for internet service provider SFR, told AFP.
Other service providers confirmed the outages occurred.
“A new major sabotage of long distance cables took place last night in France around 2:15 a.m.,” Nicolas Guillaume, CEO of internet service provider Netalis, wrote on social media.
Free Pro, another provider, warned of a “significant slowdown” as service was restored.
Le Monde reported that service was affected in six districts, but Orange, the main telecom provider to the Olympics, was not included, leaving service in Paris untouched.
DJILALI DJAFER/AFP via Getty Images
Optical fibers used by several network providers are severed between Contrisson and Revigny-sur-Ornain in northeastern France on Monday. (Photo by DJILALI DJAFER/AFP via Getty Images)
“Last night, our telecommunications operators were affected by damage in several departments,” junior minister for digital affairs Marina Ferrari said. “I condemn these cowardly and irresponsible acts.”
A series of coordinated arson attacks against the French rail system occurred Friday — the same day of the opening ceremony — leading to travel disruptions.
The government is investigating the possible involvement of ultra-left activists in the arsons, according to AFP. At least one arrest was made Sunday near a train yard at Oissel in northern France.
High speed rail service was fully restored on Monday.
No group has claimed responsibilities for either incident and it’s unclear if investigators believe they are linked.
Transport minister Patrice Vergriete said Monday additional resources, including 50 drones, 250 security agents and 1,000 maintenance workers, had been dispatched to beef up security along the country’s rail system, which has more than 17,000 miles of track.
The damage caused by the sabotage will “very probably” amount to millions of euros, including “commercial losses” and “repair costs,” Vergriete said.