Suspected sabotage causes major Netherlands rail disruption

Sep 15, 2026 05:22 PM - 3 hours ago 2

EPA Two group are seen from down looking up astatine an accusation committee astatine Zwolle position successful Zwolle, Netherlands, wherever trains are facing important disuption

Parts of the Netherlands, including Amsterdam, person been deed by awesome obstruction disruption aft suspected sabotage to the tracks, the country's railway infrastructure usability has said.

ProRail warned that passengers successful the country's centre and northbound should expect cancellations and delays connected Tuesday, while the closure of immoderate level crossings could origin disruption to roads.

Pipes were attached to the tracks successful aggregate locations, according to section media. In a statement, ProRail said the incident appeared to beryllium "an intentional disruption... caused by quality action".

It added that nary suspects aliases motives had been identified, but the nationalist constabulary portion was investigating.

The BBC has contacted constabulary for comment.

The network's website showed that astatine least 15 disruptions had been recorded crossed the state connected Tuesday, pinch routes to the main world airport, Schiphol, and Utrecht besides affected.

Train usability Nederlandse Spoorwegen said services astir Zwolle, Deventer, and Amersfoot had been disrupted.

It added that the disruption was truthful extended it was "not possible" to supply a autobus replacement service.

A Eurostar train from Amsterdam to Paris was besides delayed owed to "operational restrictions" astatine Amsterdam Centraal connected Tuesday, though it was not clear if this was linked to wider disruption. The BBC has contacted Eurostar for further information.

ProRail said successful a statement: "Materials were recovered astatine aggregate locations successful the way that were deliberately placed there. This causes conception malfunctions. Sabotage appears to beryllium involved".

EPA Rail workers successful hullo vis jackets are pictured astatine a level crossing successful Holten successful the Netherlands connected Tuesday. In the inheritance a lorry tin beryllium seen parked connected the different broadside of the crossing, while different worker is seen adjacent to a ample heap of building sacks.

Footage published by Dutch nationalist broadcaster NOS connected Tuesday showed constabulary carrying what appeared to beryllium metallic pipes - astir 1.5 metres (5ft) long - distant from railway tracks astatine Veenendaal successful the cardinal Netherlands.

One train successful the metropolis of Steenwijk struck 1 of the objects, ProRail said, but added location were nary injuries arsenic a result.

According to prosecutors, a conception of obstruction recovered connected the way whitethorn person caused the crash. But France's interior curate Laurent Nunez has urged be aware while an investigation is ongoing, saying that authorities are pursuing each leads.