Sabotage suspected as parts of Dutch rail network come to a standstill
A Dutch minister called the alleged sabotage "particularly worrying."
Dutch authorities are probing a potential act of sabotage that halted a significant portion of the national rail network on Tuesday morning, leading to delays and cancellations for commuters in central and northern regions. ProRail, the country's rail infrastructure operator, revealed that materials had been deliberately placed along tracks, causing structural failures.
Pipes were found attached to railway tracks, along with unauthorized materials discovered at least 20 times. This prompted signal disruptions throughout the system. Law enforcement has yet to identify the culprits, and the investigation is under the purview of national police. ProRail emphasized its main objective was to restore train services while safeguarding the evidence as much as possible.
Annet Bertram, the secretary of state for infrastructure and water management, labeled the suspected sabotage "particularly worrying," stressing the importance of a meticulous inquiry. The sabotage incident occurred on Prinsjesdag, a significant day symbolizing the initiation of the Dutch parliamentary year, during which the government unveils its annual budget proposals.
This is not the first time the Dutch rail system has faced extensive disruption due to suspected sabotage on this day. In the aftermath of last year's NATO summit in The Hague, trains serving Schiphol airport experienced significant delays following a fire. No arrests were made in connection with that event. European nations are bracing themselves amid heightened concerns about a surge in hybrid attacks on the continent.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen recently warned that Europe is confronting an "escalating campaign of threats" aimed at "dividing our Union."
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