Train services across large parts of the Netherlands have been disrupted today, with the network operator suspecting sabotage. No group has claimed responsibility for the disruption, which was caused by placing objects on the tracks.
Foreign News
Sabotage suspected as Dutch railways suffer major disruption
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ProRail received the first report of a disruption at 5.30 on Tuesday. Over the course of the morning, faults in the signalling system were detected at more than 20 locations, according to the Dutch broadcaster NOS.
As a result, trains were unable to run safely and it was not possible to monitor trains’ locations.
“Materials have been found at several points along the track that were deliberately placed there,” a spokesperson for ProRail said.
You cannot run a safe and reliable timetable under such circumstances
These include pipes that were secured to the track at 27 sites, causing the system to indicate that the track is occupied, even when it isn’t. “You cannot run a safe and reliable timetable under such circumstances,” ProRail said, adding that it appeared to be the result of sabotage.
Services were mainly disrupted on routes in central, northern and eastern parts of the country, but the disruption has had nationwide implications.
There was overcrowding on platforms at several stations as trains were unable to run. There were also consequences for road traffic, as the barriers at level crossings were out of order.
By midday, services were gradually being resumed, but national rail operator NS warned of continuing delays and cancellations.
The police and security service are investigating the incidents. Footage from NOS shows investigators removing the pipes and taking them away. Reports emerged later in the day that, in some places where material had been removed, objects had been replaced on the tracks.
Dutch media have speculated that the disruptions are the work of farmers angry about the government’s plans to regulate nitrogen emissions. Farmers’ organisations condemn the actions and say they are not behind them, but say they cannot rule out the possibility that individuals may have acted without the organisations’ knowledge or approval.
Meanwhile, fires were lit along provincial roads and motorways, according to the police and the government’s infrastructure agency. Footage showed hay bales on fire.
Extinction Rebellion, which frequently blocks roads, says it is not behind the sabotage. “We always take responsibility for our actions,” they said.
There is little to no impact on rail traffic in Belgium. “Train services are managed from our signal boxes via traffic control, and everything is being closely monitored,” said a spokesperson for network operator Infrabel.
“If there is a fault in the rail infrastructure, it is immediately detected by our systems and monitored in real time. Technical teams from Infrabel are then dispatched to the site to investigate further and resolve the issue.”
