Italian Transport Minister Matteo Salvini says plenty of “critical incidents of sabotage” seem to have delayed trains throughout central Italy, suggesting they might be linked to the opening of the Winter Olympics.
Police are investigating three incidents of harm on traces round Bologna, and haven’t dominated out a possible hyperlink to the Milan Cortina Video games, based on the ANSA information company.
A police spokesperson confirmed {that a} fireplace at a swap on the Bologna-Venice hyperlink was probably arson, however mentioned no person had but claimed duty.
The opening ceremony of the Video games passed off on Friday night within the northern metropolis of Milan, whereas the sporting competitions are going down there and throughout the mountains in northern Italy.
Mr Salvini, chief of the far-right League occasion and a member of Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni’s coalition authorities, mentioned he was “carefully monitoring the state of affairs”.
“The intense incidents of sabotage that occurred this morning close to Bologna prepare station and in Pesaro, inflicting vital disruption to 1000’s of travellers, are worrying,” he mentioned in an announcement.
He famous that the incidents had been much like plenty of rail sabotage incidents that paralysed France’s high-speed prepare community hours forward of the Summer time Olympics opening ceremony in July 2024.
A spokesperson for the minister, when requested if he had any particular info linking the 2 instances, mentioned the minister was conscious of “similarities in motion and timing”.
Mr Salvini “is carefully monitoring the state of affairs, which regulation enforcement companies are addressing”, the spokesperson added.
A spokesperson for Italian state rail operator Ferrovie dello Stato referred inquiries to police, however instructed wire service AFP the delays weren’t the results of any technical fault.
She added there have been “delays, however the line is just not down”.
Suspected acts of sabotage or arson have previously been blamed for delays on Italy’s railways — and never all the time with justification.
AFP
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