World
Dutch Rail Network Hit by Suspected Sabotage, Disrupting Morning Commute
Rail traffic across parts of the Netherlands was severely disrupted on Tuesday after pipes suspected to have been deliberately placed on train tracks were discovered at more than 20 locations. Infrastructure operator ProRail is treating the incidents as possible sabotage.
The disruption affected thousands of commuters, particularly in the central and eastern regions of the country, while the busier western areas also experienced delays. ProRail spokesperson Joke van der Cruysen told the Associated Press that disruptions were reported at 24 locations, with materials including pipes found on or attached to railway tracks, mostly in rural areas in the middle and eastern parts of the Netherlands.
"Material has been found at several locations. It appears that this material was deliberately placed on the tracks. We suspect sabotage," van der Cruysen said, adding that police were actively investigating the cause and motive behind the incidents.
According to Reuters, ProRail stated it was not immediately clear who was responsible or what the motive might have been. Dutch police, prosecutors and the intelligence agency AIVD are jointly investigating the disruptions.
The problems struck during the morning rush hour, causing major delays around the cities of Zwolle, Deventer and Amersfoort, national rail operator NS said. "It is not yet clear how long it will take for train services to return to normal," NS said in a message to passengers.
Trains near the affected track sections were halted, and disruptions extended to other services, including international trains headed to Germany. Road traffic was also affected, as ProRail said several level crossings had to remain closed due to the materials placed on the tracks.
Workers carefully removed the pipes to preserve potential evidence. "We wear gloves so that the police can eventually check for fingerprints and the like," van der Cruysen said, adding that efforts were focused on restoring train services as quickly as possible.
Police spokesperson Marloes Wesselink confirmed an investigation was underway but did not provide further details, saying she was not aware of any group claiming responsibility.
The disruption occurred just hours before King Willem-Alexander was scheduled to open a new session of the Dutch parliament in The Hague, an annual ceremonial event that includes a speech outlining the government's budget plans for 2027 and typically draws large crowds.
The government's budget proposals have sparked protests in recent months, including opposition from labour unions over proposed cuts to social benefits and from farmers protesting nitrogen pollution policies. Farmers were also scheduled to hold a demonstration in The Hague on the same day.
Authorities said there was no immediate indication that the rail sabotage was linked to any of the planned protests.