Dutch Rail Network Hit by Coordinated Sabotage, Train Services Disrupted

Train services across the Netherlands were severely disrupted on Tuesday after railway authorities discovered what they described as a coordinated act of sabotage targeting the country’s rail network.

ProRail, which manages the Dutch railway infrastructure, said security systems had been deliberately interfered with at more than 30 locations, preventing trains from operating safely across several parts of the country.

Railway workers discovered the first sections of pipe attached to railway tracks during inspections at about 5:30 a.m. One train collided with a pipe at Steenwijk, although no injuries were reported.

According to ProRail, the sabotage appeared to be continuing, with additional pipes discovered at some locations where railway personnel had already removed materials earlier in the day.

ProRail spokeswoman Joke van der Cruysen said there was clear evidence that the materials had been intentionally placed on the tracks.

She said the immediate priority was to remove the objects, preserve evidence for investigators and restore train services as quickly as possible.

The disruption was particularly severe on routes north of Utrecht, although railway operator NS warned that services across the country could be affected. NS said it hoped to resume services through Amersfoort, Zwolle and Deventer after midday, depending on the progress of safety checks and repairs.

ProRail explained that the pipes, some measuring up to two metres long, had been attached to rails in a way that triggered railway safety systems designed to detect trains on the tracks. The interference caused signals to turn red and brought train operations to a halt.

At least five locations in Gelderland were reported to have been affected by the placement of steel pipes.

The disruption also affected the Reisplanner journey-planning application during the morning rush hour, leaving passengers with limited access to travel information. NS advised travellers to check for updates before beginning their journeys and said replacement buses could not be arranged because of the widespread nature of the disruption.

Authorities have launched an investigation into the incident. The Dutch intelligence agency AIVD said it was working with police to determine who was responsible and where the sabotage originated.

The national anti-terrorism coordinator declined to comment on whether the incident was linked to terrorism.

The disruption also caused problems at some level crossings, where barriers remained permanently lowered because of failures in the railway security systems. ProRail said it was working with emergency services and other relevant agencies to ensure the affected areas were made safe.

The incident occurred on Prinsjesdag, the state opening of parliament in The Hague, prompting speculation that the timing may have been deliberate. Prinsjesdag is one of the most significant events in the Dutch political calendar and attracts thousands of people travelling to The Hague to watch King Willem-Alexander arrive in a horse-drawn carriage before delivering his annual speech outlining the government’s legislative programme.

The railway disruption came amid other incidents across the country. Hay bales were reportedly set on fire on the A2, A7 and A28 motorways, tactics that have previously been associated with protests by militant farmers’ groups opposed to government plans to reduce nitrogen pollution.

Farmers Defence Force spokesman Mark van den Oever had earlier warned of possible unauthorised actions against the government’s policies, including plans to buy out farmers or require reductions in livestock numbers.

Environmental protest group Extinction Rebellion denied involvement in the railway sabotage. However, seven people linked to the group were arrested after red paint was sprayed along the route of the royal procession for the state opening of parliament.

Junior Transport Minister Annet Bertram described the deliberate interference with the railway system as extremely concerning and called for a thorough investigation.

Authorities continued efforts throughout Tuesday to remove the materials and restore normal rail operations, while passengers were urged to monitor official travel information before setting out.