Suspected sabotage disrupts trains in northern Italy as Winter Games begin

Italian authorities are investigating a series of suspected sabotage attacks on railway infrastructure in northern Italy that disrupted travel services during the opening days of the Winter Olympics.

Italy’s Transport Ministry said rail infrastructure near Bologna and along routes linking key northern cities had been deliberately damaged in what it called “serious sabotage,” according to the Italian news agency ANSA. The incidents caused delays of up to two and a half hours and affected thousands of travelers heading to Olympic events on Saturday. 

Police reported three separate incidents they believe may be connected to the Games. A fire damaged rail infrastructure between Bologna and Venice, and investigators later found severed cables and a makeshift explosive device near railway tracks. In a separate incident, a structure housing a track switch was set on fire near the coastal city of Pesaro.

Read more at The Record