The opening day of the Milan Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics was marred by a coordinated sabotage campaign targeting northern Italy’s critical rail network, causing severe travel disruptions for thousands of spectators.
Italian officials have launched an investigation into three separate incidents allegedly related to the Winter Games.
In the early hours of Saturday, February 7, a fire broke out in the cabin housing a track switch near Pesaro, on the Adriatic coast.
Several hours later, police found severed electrical cables used for speed detection near Bologna’s main transportation hub, as well as a crude explosive device abandoned on the side of nearby roads.
The attacks caused delays of up to two and a half hours on high-speed, intercity and regional service, leading to the temporary closure of the Bologna high-speed station.
Bologna high-speed station is considered an important junction connecting Italy’s east-west and north-south lines.
Italy’s Transport Ministry, led by Deputy Prime Minister Matteo Salvini, condemned the acts as “serious sabotage.”
Salvini made a parallel comparison with similar attacks in the past. Previously, the French network TGV, during the opening of the Paris 2024 Summer Olympics, stated: “similarities in the action and the moment.”
Salvini said: “These actions of unprecedented severity do not in any way tarnish Italy’s image in the world.”
However, no group has claimed responsibility for the attacks, which are considered coordinated, and occurred as the massive Olympic event, which is largely based in the Alps and Dolomites and relies on rail connectivity, began its first full day of competition.
Services are slowly returning to normal, especially as Saturday afternoon approaches and authorities are tightening security on the transport network.
