The SNCF denounced this Tuesday, January 24 “an act of sabotage” after the arson on electric cables of a signal box in Seine-et-Marne, which practically paralyzed all traffic all day at the Gare de l’Est.
“This morning, we suffered an act of sabotage around 3 a.m., we discovered (…) significant damage”said Olivier Bancel, number two of SNCF Réseau, during a press briefing. “It is an act of sabotage on signaling cables which include safety circuits. »
According to the public company, “Forty-eight cable arteries, i.e. approximately 600 electrical cables, were damaged” in a signal box in Vaires-sur-Marne.
Traffic interrupted all day at Gare de l’Est: what we know
The SNCF lodged a complaint, and the Meaux prosecutor’s office announced the opening of an investigation for willful degradation and endangering the lives of others.
“There is no lead, no group claim” at this stage of the investigations, a source close to the investigation told AFP.
Very gradual recovery on Wednesday
Asked about the possible authors of this “sabotage”Olivier Bancel said: “Nothing allows us to predict who or why there was this act of sabotage, which has greatly harmed our customers. »
“Very specialized teams are working. We anticipate a very gradual recovery from tomorrow and a full recovery from the day after tomorrow.”said the Operations and Network Manager at SNCF.
Gare de l’Est: traffic “severely disrupted on Wednesday”, 1 TGV out of 3 during rush hour
“There were about fifty cables which were damaged, which were set on fire. And around 600 safety circuits. You have to take them one by one, check them, repair them. We make no concessions with safety”he added.
Safety circuits are electrical cables that also carry railway signaling information.
