Major rail disruption has hit parts of the Netherlands, including Amsterdam, following suspected sabotage on railway tracks, according to the country’s railway infrastructure operator, ProRail.
Passengers travelling through central and northern parts of the country were warned to expect significant delays and cancellations on Tuesday. The disruption has also affected some roads, with several level crossings reportedly closed.
Local media reported that pipes had been deliberately attached to railway tracks at multiple locations.
In a statement, ProRail said the incidents appeared to be “an intentional disruption… caused by human action”.
The railway operator said no suspects or motive had been identified, while the national police unit has launched an investigation into the incidents.
Multiple Dutch Rail Routes Affected
ProRail’s network information showed that 15 disruptions had been recorded across the Netherlands on Tuesday.
Services connecting major destinations, including Amsterdam, Utrecht and Schiphol Airport, were among those affected.
ProRail said: “Materials were found at multiple locations in the track that were deliberately placed there. This causes section malfunctions. Sabotage appears to be involved”.
Images broadcast by Dutch public broadcaster NOS showed police removing what appeared to be metal pipes from railway tracks in Veenendaal, in the central Netherlands.
The objects were reportedly around 1.5 metres, or approximately five feet, long.
Train Hits Object in Steenwijk
One train in Steenwijk struck one of the objects placed on the railway, according to ProRail.
However, the operator said there were no injuries as a result of the incident.
Authorities have yet to establish who placed the objects on the tracks or why the railway infrastructure was targeted.
The national police unit is continuing its investigation, while passengers have been advised to expect ongoing disruption as affected routes are assessed and repaired.
Netherlands Disruption Follows France Rail Incident
The Dutch rail disruption comes shortly after separate reports in French media raised concerns about possible sabotage following a train derailment in Normandy on Friday.
French prosecutors said a section of railway track discovered on the line may have contributed to the crash.
However, France’s Interior Minister Laurent Nunez urged caution while investigators examine the incident.
Nunez said authorities were pursuing all possible leads as they work to establish what caused the derailment.
The incidents in the Netherlands and France remain separate investigations, and there is currently no indication of a connection between them.
