July 29, 2024 In a coordinated act of sabotage, fiber optic cables in several regions of France were cut overnight, French service providers reported on Monday. This incident marks the second attack on French infrastructure in recent days, highlighting the heightened security threats surrounding the Paris Olympic Games.
Nicolas Guillaume, CEO of internet service provider Netalis, announced the attack on social media platform X, stating, “A new major sabotage of long-distance cables took place last night in France around 2:15 a.m.” The attack affected a number of major French telecommunications providers, including SFR, Bouygues, and Free, disrupting services across six regions: Bouches-du-Rhône, Aude, Oise, Hérault, Meuse, and Drôme, according to Le Monde. However, Orange, the telecom provider for the Paris Games, was not impacted by the attack.
Secretary of State for Digital Affairs Marina Ferrari strongly condemned the sabotage, writing on X, “I condemn in the strongest terms these cowardly and irresponsible acts.” Ferrari confirmed that the attack had damaged fiber optic lines, as well as telephone and mobile phone lines, in several departments, causing significant disruptions.
This latest incident comes just days after coordinated arson attacks disrupted France’s high-speed rail networks ahead of the Olympic Games’ opening ceremony. Interior Minister Gérald Darmanin indicated that police had identified “profiles” of individuals who may have been behind the sabotage, suggesting that far-left activists could be responsible, though he did not provide specific evidence to support this claim.
As the Paris Olympic Games continue, these attacks underscore the ongoing security challenges and the need for heightened vigilance to protect critical infrastructure from further sabotage.
