Train services across Netherlands grind to halt in ‘deliberate acts of sabotage’ sparking urgent investigation

A DELIBERATE sabotage plot has disrupted train services across the Netherlands, the country’s rail infrastructure operator said. The rail network ground to a halt on Tuesday just hours before the ceremonial state opening of parliament. Trains ground to a halt across the Netherlands on Tuesday due to a sabotage plot Credit: Alamy A police officer carries away objects after suspected sabotage disrupted Dutch train services Credit: Reuters ProRail said pipes had been found attached to railways in over 20 locations, mainly in rural areas in the middle and the east of the country. “We discovered materials that had been deliberately placed there”, spokesperson Joke van der Cruysen said. Sign up for The Sun newsletter Thank you! “We are therefore now classifying this as sabotage of the railway infrastructure,” he added. Dutch broadcaster NOS showed long, thin pipes being removed from the tracks. ProRail said pipes had been found attached to railways in over 20 locations Credit: Alamy People gathered on the train platform after the suspected sabotage Credit: Reuters King Willem-Alexander was set to open a new session of parliament with a speech outlining the government’s budget plans for 2027. But trains around the track blockages were brought to a standstill with serious disruptions also affecting international services to Germany. Road traffic was also thrown into chaos with several level crossings closed, ProRail said. Those behind the attack and their motive remains unclear, ProRail said. Most read in The Sun National railway company NS said that services around the cities of Zwolle, Deventer and Amersfoort were hit worst around the morning rush hour. There have been no reports of any injuries. Broadcaster NOS said P parts of the track had reopened. But, “no trains are running yet on the Zwolle-Amersfoort, Amersfoort-Deventer, and Deventer-Almelo routes. “It is unclear how long this will last”. The Dutch intelligence agency AIVD said it was investigating alongside police and prosecutors. State Secretary for Infrastructure and Water Management Annet Bertram said she was “deeply concerned” and called for an urgent probe. No group has claimed responsibility. It comes after widespread protests over budget plans, including from labour unions angry about proposals to cut social benefits. Farmers have also been up in arms, arguing that they are being unfairly blamed for nitrogen pollution. Campaigners supporting the agricultural industry had been due to protest in The Hague on Tuesday. Comment now