LIVE Paris Olympics 2024 LIVE: Chaos as 'coordinated' arson attack hits Paris rail network with former ambassador warning Russia could be behind major sabotage attempt just hours before opening ceremony, with flights axed By Dan Woodland Published: 04:54 EDT, 26 July 2024 | Updated: 06:02 EDT, 26 July 2024 e-mail 17 View comments Advertisement 10:02 Flights grounded due to 'safety reasons' The EuroAirport Basel–Mulhouse–Freiburg in France has reportedly grounded some of its flight due to 'safety reasons'. The BBC has reported that the airport terminal has been evacuated and closed. It is unclear whether this is linked to the ongoing chaos caused by the arson attacks in France today.
09:57 Passengers fed up as they queue for Eurostar 09:53 Russia 'could be responsible for arson attacks' The former French ambassador to Moscow, Jean de Gliniasty has fuelled speculation that Russia may be involved in today's arson attacks. He told LCI: We are obviously in a situation of conflict with Russia, and Russia is obviously not going to do anything, and that's an understatement, to help these Olympic Games be a success. And so we're going to come up against a lot of difficulties of this kind, either direct or indirect, because probably, I don't know if the people who started the fire are manipulated, but it's possible that they're not really, and it's quite easy to do.
There's a tradition in France of black blocs, every time there's a demonstration they destroy, they break things. In fact, France has been facing these problems for several years now, and we haven't managed to solve them. And so now, of course, it's getting out of hand.
09:49 Arson attacks were 'prepared and coordinated' Returning to the comments made by France's Prime Minister earlier today, Gabriel Attal said today's 'acts of sabotage' were 'prepared and coordinated'. The PM said in a post on X: 'Early this morning, acts of sabotage were carried out in a prepared and coordinated manner on SNCF installations. 'The consequences on the rail network are massive and serious.
' He added that he shared the anger of the French people looking to attend the games today and vowed 'to find and punish the perpetrators of these criminal acts'. 09:40 Disruption will 'last the whole weekend' The CEO of the French rail company SNCF has warned travellers the disruption following the arson attacks are likely to continue for the next few days. Jean-Pierre Farandou told BFM TV: 'I am thinking of all the French who won't be able to go on holiday today, or those who will leave in worse conditions,' he says.
'It will certainly last the whole weekend, because it will take a long time to fix. It's a day of sadness today,' Mr Farandou said earlier today some 800,000 customers had been impacted ahead of a busy weekend for French holidaymakers. Thousands of rail staff had been deployed to repair the damage.
09:35 French intelligence services 'mobilised' France's Prime Minister Gabriel Attal has said the country's intelligence services and law enforcement have been mobilised 'to find and punish the perpetrators of these criminal acts'. 09:31 Eurostar tells passengers to cancel trips Eurostar has told customers to cancel their trips on Friday if they can, amid ongoing disruption to its services. In an update to an earlier statement, the rail operator said: 'We encourage our customers to postpone their trip if possible.
' The announcement will come as unwelcome news for the thousands of sports fans who are looking to travel to Paris via rail for the start of the Olympics. 09:27 Final leg of the Olympic torch in full swing On a more positive note, lets have a look at the start of the Olympic celebrations in Paris. The final leg of the Olympic torch relay has kicked off this morning, with IOC President Thomas Bach and the Chair of the IOC Athletes' Commission Emma Terho pictured taking part in the event at the Olympic Village.
They have handed the torch over to China's Wu Jingyu who has now passed it on to Masomah Ali Zara, who is the head of the refugee Olympic committee. 09:20 Arson attacks 'probably a large-scale sabotage' France's sports minister Amélie Oudéa-Castera (pictured below with French President Emmanuel Macron) has said the arson attacks on France's rail network today were 'probably coordinated'. She told Sky News: 'It's probably a large-scale sabotage with some malicious acts, probably co-ordinating.
'We're still in the process of analysing all the impacts, accessing what we're going to implement as solutions because it's going to have impacts also over the weekend.' Ms Oudéa-Castera also admitted the 'malicious acts' could be the work of Russia or of a terrorist group as well as 'protesters or even French people'. She said the arsonists were 'playing against the side of the athletes, who have been working so hard, for so many years'.
She added: 'I have a little bit of anger. We are not going to let ourselves be destabilised by this.' 09:11 Could Putin be behind the arson attack? Fears are mounting that Moscow may be behind today's 'massive arson attack' which has brought chaos to France's rail network after an alleged Russian spy was arrested earlier this week.
Kirill Gryaznov (below), 40, was arrested on Wednesday and charged with working 'with a foreign power to try and incite hostilities in France' after being identified as working for the FSB, Vladimir Putin's domestic intelligence agency. Gryaznov – who denies any wrongdoing – is said to have boasted about turning the start of the Paris Olympics into 'an opening ceremony like no other'. 09:04 Huge queues of traffic forming at Dover Traffic has begun to queue at the Port of Dover in Kent this morning amid the ongoing travel chaos across the Channel.
Drivers are being warned to expect a 'weekend of woe' on the roads as millions of families embark on getaway journeys after many schools in England and Wales broke up for summer this week. 08:59 Eurostar trains cancelled and diverted Several Eurostar trains to Paris have been cancelled and others have been diverted following the arson attacks today. The rail operator, which runs international services from London St Pancras, confirmed its trains would be delayed because of the ongoing issues over the Channel.
Eurostar said that 'all high-speed trains going to and coming from Paris are being diverted via the classic line today'. It added: 'This extends the journey time by around an hour-and-a-half. Several trains have been cancelled.
'Eurostar's teams are fully mobilised in stations, in the call centres, and onboard to ensure that all passengers are informed and can reach their destination.' The company said customers were being informed via email, text and on the Eurostar website. Any affected passengers can cancel or refund their tickets or modify their journey free of charge.
08:52 'Massive arson attack' on French rail network As mentioned below, a 'massive arson attack' on France's rail network has brought chaos to the start of the Paris Olympics today. With just hours to go before the opening ceremony on the River Seine, fires were started at key installations, bringing trains to a halt and affecting around 800,00 passengers. The Gare du Nord – the main Eurostar station in Paris – was hit by the attacks on the rail network, said a spokesman for SNCF, France's rail operator.
This caused the cancellation of multiple services, including ones meant to be bringing sports fans into the French capital. Read our full story below: 'Massive arson attack' brings chaos to Paris rail network With just hours to go before the opening ceremony on the River Seine on Friday, fires were started at key installations, bringing trains to a halt. Mail Online 08:51 Welcome to our Olympics live blog Morning all and welcome to MailOnline's liveblog for the start of the 2024 Olympics in Paris.
The start of the world's most coveted sporting event has not got off the best start as a 'massive arson attack' on France's rail network has brought chaos across the country just hours before the opening ceremony. We will bring you the latest updates as the day unfolds as thousands of sports fans are expected to descend on the capital amid the travel chaos. Key Updates Russia 'could be responsible for arson attacks' View post Disruption will 'last the whole weekend' View post Arson attacks 'probably a large-scale sabotage' View post 'Massive arson attack' on French rail network View post TOP STORIES Has Putin struck the Olympics? 'Coordinated, massive arson attack' hits French railways, affecting 800,000 passengers, after Russian 'spy' who 'vowed to give the Games an opening like no other' was arrested Matildas fans blast Tony Gustavsson's team after waking up at 3AM to watch miserable Olympic Games defeat by Germany: 'This is hard to watch' Matildas are called out after loss to Germany Olympics chaos as 'massive arson attack' severely disrupts Paris' rail network hours before thousands of Brits arrive for opening ceremony with 'coordinated sabotage' intended to 'paralyse' the train system Huge queues at London St Pancras after Eurostar mayhem in Paris, families in long queues for Port of Dover and delays hindering travel to Gatwick Airport threaten mayhem on first weekend of summer holidays Russian chef is arrested in connection with 'large-scale' plot to destabilise France during the Olympics Is Macron's 'audacious' Olympic opening ceremony set to be a damp squib? Hours before it begins, Paris is hit by travel chaos as rail lines are vandalised, and weathermen predict downpours during four-mile river parade Revealed: Why it took VAR almost TWO HOURS to disallow Argentina's last-gasp equaliser in 2-1 defeat by Morocco in fiery Olympics clash Karl and Jasmine Stefanovic's daughter Harper, four, proves she is already a little fashionista as she takes her own handbag to go shopping at famous department store in Paris Olympic Village 'runs out of FOOD': Team GB flies in emergency chefs after slamming 'inadequate' grub served up by the French - with chicken and eggs being rationed Ex-Spandau Ballet star Ross William Wild, 36, is found guilty of rape, sexual assault and voyeurism - but cleared of controlling and coercive behaviour Tony Gustavsson: The one person being blamed for the Matildas' Olympics disaster issues a grovelling apology Footy star accuses the Matildas of 'having their heads up their bums' and 'believing their own hype' in stunning rant after team's Olympics thrashing David and Victoria Beckham live it up on their £16MILLION yacht in the Aeolian Islands in Italy - and former Spice Girl Posh glams up in a formal black number Dutch lawyer at centre of Charlotte Dujardin scandal is an equine specialist pictured holding a whip while training mules - but 'has never used one on an animal in his life' Topless selfies, socks over private parts and just a sink to protect their modesty: Why Team GB's divers are having to use OnlyFans and sell subscriptions for £7.
75 a month to fund their Olympics dream Are there any transgender athletes competing at the Paris 2024 Olympics? Have any competed at the Games before? What are the rules around participation? Roxy Jacenko reveals the health issue causing bruising on her leg as she poses in a bikini during luxury European holiday Celine Dion WILL sing at the 2024 Paris Olympics - in French - as the eye-watering sum she will be paid for the gig is revealed Aussie swimming team suffer NIGHTMARE start to Olympic Games as Emma McKeon and Shayna Jack are crammed onto buses into Paris in 'chaotic' scenes Inside Australia's horror start to the Paris Olympics as team is hit by a robbery, transport chaos, a rogue swimming coach and THAT Matildas disaster Celine Dion looks in high spirits as she plays air guitar and fist bumps out of her car roof in Paris ahead of making her grand return to the stage at the Olympics Opening Ceremony amid battle with Stiff Person Syndrome Olympics terror fears: Iran 'plans to target Israelis during the Paris Games' it's claimed as cops arrest 'jihadist' who also intended to carry out attack Storm brewing in judo just days out from the start of Olympic competition as International Judo Federaton chief SLAMS venue for 'poorly installed mats' and 'dirt marks' Germany 3-0 Australia: Matildas embarrassed in Marseille as Aussies go down without a fight in Olympic Games drubbing Antoine Dupont delivers individual brilliance as France unofficially open their Olympics in Paris with a rugby sevens triumph over Uruguay...
after an opening draw with the USA Six-time French champions Bordeaux accept relegation to semi-professional third division after Liverpool owners FSG pulled out of deal to buy the financially-stricken club Karl Stefanovic reunited with his model daughter Willow, 19, in Paris after she moved to overseas to attend prestigious university French-Argentine racism controversy pushes presidents Emmanuel Macron and Javier Milei to have emergency meeting in Paris after Chelsea star Enzo Fernandez shared chant online Ugly scenes mar Argentina's 2-1 defeat by Morocco at Olympics as fans boo national anthem and throw FLARES, cups and bottles at South American players amid Enzo Fernandez racism storm British Olympic chiefs 'made their displeasure known' over Dutch volleyball player who was jailed for raping a 12-year-old girl staying at the Athletes' Village...
after 'contacting the IOC to air concerns' In an age cursed by online porn, the sight of semi-naked Team GB divers selling subscriptions on OnlyFans is a shocking example to set, writes JONATHAN McEVOY Excruciating moment Channel Nine CEO is confronted on the streets of Paris over carrying the Olympic torch as his business goes on STRIKE Where is Linford Christie now? How Olympic hero went from Britain's fastest man to a shrewd businessman after doping ban Return of the tainted Chinese swimmers: A staggering 23 tested positive before the last Olympics - now 11 are BACK after being cleared, including the biggest threat to Adam Peaty Athletes win air conditioning battle with IOC after Olympics pledged to be the 'greenest ever' I got laid more often in the Olympic Village than during the rest of my life: From hook-ups to one-night stands, bed-hopping and orgies - what life behind Games security is really like Russian Olympics 'spy' who threatened to bring chaos to Paris Games is 'star of Bachelor-style reality show who blew his cover when he got drunk and was kicked off a flight to France' Olympics fans across Britain warned they face a paywall to watch much of the coverage due to limited BBC coverage as Paris 2024 Games gets under way - but rival broadcaster who snapped up rights defends charging viewers extra I left school at 15 with no qualifications and sat my first GCSE aged 35...
six years later, I'm a qualified doctor The most controversial man at the Olympics: Mail Sport tracks down convicted child rapist Steven van de Velde as he arrives in Paris amid fury at the Dutch volleyball star's participation in the Games Revealed: How man ramming elderly woman with luggage trolley at Manchester Airport sparked 'altercation' that saw two men violently arrested by police...
as Government's political violence tsar warns protesters against 'mob rule' Strictly pro Pasha Kovalev wades in on misconduct scandal and says a lot of people don't believe the accusations Sir Keir Starmer 'preparing to drop UK objection to an arrest warrant against Israel prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu for alleged war crimes' Inside Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's UK home: Frogmore Cottage boasts plush décor and a huge modern kitchen - but Prince Andrew won't live there Biden mumbles as he reveals why he decided to 'pass the torch' and insists he could have served four more years as president in address to nation Putin's forces are humiliated in footage from one of the biggest recent assaults of the Ukraine war that ended in huge losses: Russia says it is ready for peace talks as it faces losing '1.8 MILLION troops' 'No doubt' punch thrown by older half-brother of 11-year-old girl in 'heat of the moment' caused her fatal brain injury, inquest hears 'Ashamed' BBC pundit Paula Radcliffe issues grovelling apology statement after wishing Dutch volleyball player who was jailed for raping a 12-year-old 'the best of luck' at Paris Olympics - insisting she 'categorically condemns' the crime Amanda Abbington's fiancé hits out at trolls who branded Strictly star 'unstable' and vows 'the truth will come out' after her bombshell interview claiming being paired with Giovanni Pernice was like 'fighting in the trenches' As a women's prison governor I encountered Rose West, Myra Hindley and Beverley Allitt. Here are the very surprising things female killers have in common - and the fate that awaits Lucy Letby Strictly star Giovanni Pernice breaks his silence after Amanda Abbington's bombshell interview as he urges fans to ignore her claims and 'wait for the conclusion of BBC's review' Cheddar Gorge locals are cheesed off as road closures to film Danny Boyle's new horror movie 28 Years Later forces them into 21-mile detour Royal Mint to stop making coins from scratch after 1,100 years - with staff mining circuit boards for gold instead Lawmakers channel UNC 'frat bros' by replacing American flags torn down by pro-Palestine rioters near the Capitol after anti-Netanyahu demonstrations Police launch murder probe and arrest two men aged 30 and 32 after 82-year-old man is found dead in river RICHARD EDEN: 'Insincere' Meghan was sending out warning signs from the start, only now do royal sources admit they missed them FBI director casts doubt on whether Trump was struck by bullet during assassination attempt at rally Teenager, 19, who had his head kicked 'like a football' by police officer at Manchester Airport has cyst on the brain, claims lawyer ahead of more protests - as Mayor Andy Burnham says situation is 'not clear cut' Elon Musk's trans daughter Vivian breaks silence after dad claims she was born 'gay' and 'slightly autistic' JD Vance sex slur is deleted by AP after wire agency decided to 'fact-check' lurid claim about GOP VP pick's sexual preferences Why Obama has not yet endorsed Kamala Harris' presidential bid according to Biden family insider who claims to know what he really thinks Just Stop Oil activists who threw tomato soup over priceless Van Gogh Sunflowers painting are found guilty of criminal damage Sainsbury's says it is 'truly sorry' as it removes school trousers advertised using 'racial slur' from its online store Revered Florida pastor Jonathan Elwing, 43, faces the DEATH PENALTY over sickening child rape allegations - as detectives reveal how they caught the 'monster' father-of-four Major UK cinema chain 'will announce plans tomorrow to close around 25 UK cinemas and axe hundreds of jobs' in new bid to save the ailing screen chain Crowds of protesters block roads and trams in Manchester city centre branding police 'racist' and calling for cops to be sacked over airport 'kicking and stamping' attack - as watchdog opens second probe and sets up witness hotline Manchester airport: Armed police officer SUSPENDED after being filmed kicking and stamping on men - as 'victims' break silence and hundreds gather outside station accusing force of racism with MORE demos planned for tonight Fears for Hawk Tuah girl as embarrassing new video goes viral for all the wrong reasons FBI probes whether Trump was REALLY shot by assassin's bullet after director's bombshell claim - as ex president unleashes on agency Utah man accidentally killed his girlfriend after deciding to make out with her at worst possible moment Shocking social media posts of Trump shooter Thomas Crooks are 'revealed' by social networking website's CEO Row grows as British Dressage chiefs say video showing Charlotte Dujardin whipping horse was leaked 'to cause maximum damage' on eve of Olympics - before urging people to be 'kind' to the three-time champion: Dutch rivals deny dirty tricks Pictured: Heroic wife who rushed to her lieutenant colonel husband's defence after masked attacker armed with knives and a 'machete' stabbed him outside barracks in broad daylight America's next First Daughter? Ella Emhoff loves her unibrow and armpit hair.
.. modelled topless and is pro-trans.
.. and this is why she called stepmom Kamala's marriage 'vomit-inducing' Camballin helicopter crash: Two dead after choppers took off and collided moments later - as emergency services race to the grisly scene Shocking moment innocent taxi driver is dragged into terrifying street crime as masked machete-wielding attackers try to stab his passenger before he makes quick getaway Chaos in Sainsbury's as customers pile their trolleys high using discount voucher that allows them to get all their shopping for free Amanda Abbington reveals she told Strictly bosses 'this is awful, Giovanni hates me' in first week - but insists she doesn't want show to end after claiming she suffered 'sexual bullying' Liberals fawn over mumbling Biden's address to the nation with CNN fanboy Van Jones choking back tears - but on Trump Force One ex-president's face says it all Sydney train accident: 'Perfect storm' led to deaths of toddler and her dad Apple fan explains what green dot on back of your iPhone charger plug means - and what to do if you don't have one Adut Atem Kiir found dead: Body of missing woman discovered in Swan River Meghan Markle unlikely to join Prince Harry for 'olive branch trip' to reconnect with his family because she has 'too much on her plate' and 'fears being heckled in public', magazine reports Camilla's interior designer sister, 75, is no longer on Prince William's Duchy of Cornwall payroll after two decades of decorating and updating period properties Mother-of-two, 37, caught having sex with man in the street after drunken night out as she was watched by CCTV operators is fined £120 The tragic one word update from Samantha Murphy's devastated husband that will break your heart - seven months after she vanished and her body has still never been found Predator hunter confronts suspected pedophile at his home and gets him to admit on camera to heinous child abuse - before the monster flees inside and does the unthinkable Joe Biden's doctor gives puzzling response when confronted about the president's mental acuity Horse rider slams Charlotte Dujardin as she releases new video of Team GB star calling horse a 'b****' years before whipping animal like a 'circus elephant' Melissa Caddick: New Idea magazine drops truly astonishing claim about notorious conwoman's recent whereabouts.
.. but not everyone's convinced Utterly humiliated, Biden lectured us from the Oval Office about honesty - but the sick TRUTH is that he's lied to the world.
.. and we all know who's really in charge now: MAUREEN CALLAHAN's damning verdict Who needs one dress when you can have five? That's how many Princess Diana's niece Lady Kitty Spencer, 33, wore when she married fashion billionaire, 65, three years ago today - but her father was not there Greg felt stomach pains after going for dinner with his wife Ally but thought it was just indigestion.
Now he's found out he's terminally ill Family share heartbreaking update on toddler mauled by two pit bulls Mystery deepens into Bentley driver Kurt Villani who plowed $300,000 'Flying Spur' supercar into Rainbow Bridge in fireball crash that sparked terror fears - as cops release major update Carlton train tragedy: Huge twist as heartbroken mum in pram train tragedy makes massive call as she faces being kicked out of Australia within days Revealed: The mid-air passenger row that sparked chaotic Manchester Airport arrests - as the men's lawyer claims police 'assault' on teenager was 'an attempted assassination' What were loo thinking! Three-bedroom house in Sunderland is on sale for just £57,500...
but it comes with a VERY unusual plumbing feature Carlton train station deaths: Devastating blow after father and twin daughter were killed after pram rolled onto tracks Manhunt for attempted murderer after dog walker in her 50s found unconscious on remote path at local beauty spot Revealed: The video footage that shows Charlotte Dujardin whipping horse 'like an elephant in a circus' - as star hoping to become Britain's most decorated female Olympian is suspended in shame 'It's war.' Giovanni's fury at Amanda Abbington's sex claims as he insists he has 'bombshell' evidence that 'proves Amanda is a liar' and has left the BBC in 'meltdown', his friends reveal to KATIE HIND Revealed: Lawyer representing two men being 'attacked' by police at Manchester Airport is Lamborghini-driving wannabe MP who ran as pro-Palestine candidate in the general election and was probed over 'false racism' claim Olympics Live Blog France Share or comment on this article: Paris Olympics 2024 LIVE: Chaos as 'coordinated' arson attack hits Paris rail network with former ambassador warning Russia could be behind major sabotage attempt just hours before opening ceremony, with flights axed e-mail Add comment.
