Italy’s Transport Minister spoke of “sabotage” targeting the country’s railways amid the Winter Olympics taking place in Milan and Cortina. Specifically, Matteo Salvini expressed concern on Saturday (07/02) about “serious acts of sabotage” that caused delays to railway services in central Italy. He emphasized that they are likely connected to the start of the Winter Olympics.
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Italy: Serious damage to railway infrastructure
Authorities are investigating three incidents that caused damage to railway lines around Bologna, while according to Italian news agency ANSA, police do not rule out that they may be connected to the Winter Olympics.
Meanwhile, Italian Railways (FS) announced that: “This morning, serious damage was found to the railway infrastructure, attributed to acts of sabotage, which disrupted train circulation, which is currently being gradually restored.”
Fire at signal tower possibly due to arson
It should be noted that a police spokesperson confirmed to AFP that a fire that occurred at a signal tower on the Bologna-Venice line was likely due to arson. However, they clarified that no one has claimed responsibility for this action so far. Police also announced, according to Reuters, that in Bologna they found cut electrical cables used for monitoring train speeds, while a rudimentary improvised explosive device was discovered next to railway tracks at a nearby location.
“The serious acts of sabotage that occurred this morning near Bologna stations and in Pesaro and caused serious disruption for thousands of travelers are concerning,” Salvini said in a statement.
The minister recalled the railway sabotage that had paralyzed France’s high-speed train network hours before the Olympic Games opening ceremony in July 2024.
When asked if there is specific information connecting them to the Milan-Cortina Olympics, his spokesperson told AFP: “There are similarities in the action and timing” with the Paris incident.
Salvini, leader of the far-right League party and member of Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni’s coalition government, added that he is “closely monitoring the situation”.
