Suspected sabotage causes widespread disruption to Dutch rail network
Railway operator ProRail reported that pipes and cables were deliberately placed on tracks across more than 35 locations in central and northern Netherlands on Tuesday, damaging signalling systems and causing extensive train cancellations. Routes to major cities including Amsterdam, Schiphol airport, Eindhoven and Utrecht were affected, and Prime Minister Rob Jetten described the incidents as dangerous and disruptive. Police, prosecutors and intelligence agency AIVD have begun an investigation, though no suspects or motive have been identified so far.
Switch levels to reread the same story more simply, or in more depth.
A major disruption affected the Dutch railway network on Tuesday when railway infrastructure operator ProRail reported what appeared to be a deliberate sabotage operation. The company confirmed that pipes and cables had been placed across tracks at more than 35 locations throughout the country's centre and north. In some cases, these materials reappeared after having already been removed.
The objects caused signalling computers to incorrectly register trains on the tracks, which prevented traffic controllers from managing sections of the network effectively. This resulted in widespread train cancellations and delays affecting routes to Schiphol airport, Eindhoven and Utrecht, among others. The closure of several level crossings also caused disruption to road traffic in the affected areas.
ProRail emphasised that placing materials on tracks is extremely dangerous and unacceptable, noting that fortunately no accidents occurred. In an earlier incident on Monday near Steenwijk, a train struck metal on the track, though damage remained limited because the train was not travelling at full speed. Prime Minister Rob Jetten described the incidents as disruptive and life-threatening. The national public prosecutor's office, the AIVD intelligence agency and police have launched an investigation, though as of Tuesday evening no suspects or motive had been identified.
Summary produced automatically from the cited sources, then adapted to three reading levels.