Dutch Railway Network Paralyzed by "Sabotage" with Obstacles Placed on Tracks

The railway network across central and northern parts of the Netherlands was virtually paralyzed on the 15th (local time) due to deliberate sabotage, according to German news agency dpa and other outlets.

A spokesperson for railway infrastructure manager ProRail told local news agency ANP that pipe-like obstacles were found at around 30 locations on the tracks. As a result, train operations were severely disrupted, primarily in central and eastern regions, causing major inconvenience to tens of thousands of commuters.

Train operations were completely suspended in areas with blocked tracks, including near Zwolle and the Utrecht-Gouda section, and international trains traveling to and from Germany were also reportedly affected.

ProRail explained that the objects were intentionally placed by someone, calling it "sabotage of the railway infrastructure," while adding that it is not yet known who is responsible or what the motive behind the act might be.

Dutch Railways (NS), the national passenger railway operator, said that train services around major cities such as Zwolle, Deventer, and Amersfoort were disrupted during the morning rush hour, but operations are gradually resuming.

The railway paralysis also caused malfunctions in level crossing devices, dealing a cascading blow to road traffic.

According to the Associated Press, traffic flow resumed after the obstacles blocking the tracks were removed around 3 p.m. local time.

Dutch Prime Minister Rob Jetten criticized the incident, calling it "an act that causes chaos and threatens lives."

Jetten added, "Now we must calmly await the results of the police investigation," and noted that "the police and security authorities are making every effort to track down the perpetrators."

The Dutch intelligence agency AIVD announced that it has launched an investigation alongside the police and prosecutors.

Coincidentally, the railway paralysis occurred on the day of the official opening of the Dutch parliament.

King Willem-Alexander officially declared the opening of the new parliamentary session that afternoon and delivered a speech revealing next year's government budget plans.

In recent months, widespread protests have taken place in the Netherlands over next year's government budget proposal.

Labor unions have protested against cuts to social welfare benefits, while farmers have expressed frustration, claiming they are unfairly blamed for nitrogen pollution.

Angry farmers were also seen protesting by setting fire to piles of hay on roads in various locations that day.

(Photo: Yonhap News)
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.