Train service across much of the Netherlands was disrupted after metal pipes were placed on the tracks. The rail operator suspects sabotage.
Train service has been severely disrupted across much of the Netherlands. Rail infrastructure operator ProRail suspects sabotage, NOS reports.
Train service across much of the Netherlands was severely disrupted on September 15, 2023, due to metal pipes placed on the tracks, according to rail operator ProRail. The incident occurred on Prince's Day, when the Dutch monarch visits parliament. ProRail discovered the issue around 5:30 a.m., when signaling and safety systems malfunctioned at 30 locations, preventing them from determining if trains were on specific tracks.
As a result, signals turned red, and trains were unable to operate safely. Service was mainly affected on routes connecting Utrecht with the northern and eastern parts of the country, but the disruption impacted the entire nation. Trains continued to run on some routes at reduced speeds, potentially affecting road traffic as well.
ProRail stated they are working to identify and fix the problem, but the exact location of the metal pipes remains unclear. The company referred questions about the suspected sabotage to the police.
Written by urgent.news from Meduza (English)'s reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
