Italy says railways hit by 'serious sabotage' as Winter Olympics begin

On 7 February 2026, just as the Winter Olympic Games began, Italy experienced a coordinated sabotage campaign targeting its northern railway network. Authorities reported three main sabotage incidents: a fire on rails between Bologna and Venice causing up to 2.5 hours of delay, a track switch set alight near Pesaro on the Adriatic coast, and severed electric cables near Bologna accompanied by a rudimentary explosive device. Bologna's rail station is a major transport hub connecting north-south and east-west lines, amplifying the disruption. Deputy Prime Minister Matteo Salvini compared these attacks to sabotage during the 2024 Paris Olympics but insisted these actions would not harm Italy's image or the Games' success. The sabotage stretched over hundreds of miles including mountainous regions and significant cities such as Milan and Cortina, where the Games' opening ceremony took place. Police are investigating without any claims of responsibility. The attacks caused extensive travel delays and hindered rail connectivity critical for moving thousands of visitors to Olympic venues.