Rail services across the Netherlands were significantly disrupted on Tuesday following what infrastructure operator ProRail characterized as deliberate sabotage. Metal pipes approximately 1.5 metres in length were discovered attached to tracks at multiple locations throughout the country, causing section malfunctions and service cancellations.
The disruption affected numerous routes, including connections to Amsterdam, the centre and north of the country, as well as access to Schiphol international airport and Utrecht. Train operator Nederlandse Spoorwegen reported service interruptions around Zwolle, Deventer, and Amersfoort. At least 15 separate disruptions were recorded across the network. The extent of the damage made it impossible for operators to provide bus replacement services for affected passengers.
ProRail stated in an official statement that materials found at multiple track locations appeared to have been deliberately placed, indicating sabotage. One train in Steenwijk struck one of the objects, though ProRail confirmed no injuries resulted from the incident. A Eurostar service from Amsterdam to Paris also experienced delays due to operational restrictions at Amsterdam Centraal station, though the connection to the broader disruption remained unclear.
The national police unit launched an investigation into the incident. ProRail indicated that no suspects or motives had been identified at the time of the announcement. The BBC sought additional comment from police regarding the ongoing investigation.
The incident in the Netherlands occurred amid separate reports from France concerning a potential sabotage event in Normandy earlier in the week. French authorities are investigating whether a section of rail discovered on the track may have caused a derailment, though officials cautioned that investigations remain ongoing and all leads are being pursued.
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