Netherlands Rail Sabotage Halts Trains Across Country

Rail traffic across large parts of the central and northern Netherlands ground to a halt on Monday after deliberate sabotage. Unknown perpetrators placed long thin pipes on the tracks at roughly 20 separate locations, causing the railway computer system to register the lines as blocked and halt all trains automatically.

Widespread Disruption

The most severe disruption hit the Zwolle rail hub in the province of Overijssel. Services were also suspended on the Utrecht-Gouda and Apeldoorn-Deventer corridors. Numerous level crossings remained closed throughout the morning. Infrastructure operator Prorail confirmed the incidents and said staff had begun clearing the affected sections as a top priority.

A Prorail spokesperson told the Dutch news agency ANP that the pipes had been placed deliberately. Despite the breadth of the operation, Prorail described the situation as manageable. No injuries or collisions occurred, as the automated safety system functioned correctly.

No Motive, Police Investigating

Authorities have found no indication of who carried out the attack or why. The Dutch police launched a formal investigation. No group has claimed responsibility.

The pipes were placed deliberately, a Prorail spokesperson told ANP, adding that clearing the lines was the highest priority.

The incident follows the arrest of a suspect near Aachen, Germany in connection with power-grid sabotage across several German states.