Suspected sabotage causes major Netherlands rail disruption

A major rail disruption has occurred in parts of the Netherlands, including Amsterdam, following suspected sabotage of the tracks, according to the country’s railway infrastructure operator, ProRail. Passengers in the centre and north of the country can expect cancellations and delays on Tuesday, as some level crossings were closed, potentially causing road disruptions as well.

Pipes were attached to the tracks at various locations, as reported by local media. ProRail stated that the incident seems to be "an intentional disruption… caused by human action" and that while no suspects or motives have been identified, the national police unit is investigating. The BBC has reached out to the police for further comment.

At least 15 disruptions have been recorded across the Netherlands on Tuesday, affecting routes to Schiphol, the main international airport, and Utrecht. Train operator Nederlandse Spoorwegen reported that services around Zwolle, Deventer, and Amersfoort were disrupted, adding that the extent of the disruption was so severe that it was "not possible" to provide a bus replacement service.

Eurostar also experienced delays due to "operational restrictions" at Amsterdam Centraal, although it remains unclear if this was linked to the broader disruption.

ProRail revealed that materials, specifically metal pipes, about 1.5 meters (5 feet) long, had been intentionally placed on multiple track sections, causing malfunctions. Footage from Dutch public broadcaster NOS showed police carrying one of the pipes away from railway tracks in Veenendaal, central Netherlands. One train in the city of Steenwijk struck one of the objects but caused no injuries.

The disruption in the Netherlands follows separate reports in French media suggesting a derailment in Normandy on Friday may have been an act of sabotage. ProRail found a section of rail on the track that could have caused the crash. However, France's interior minister Laurent Nunez cautioned against premature conclusions, stating that authorities are investigating all leads.