Sabotage paralyzed trains in Italy during the Olympics

Trains passing through central Italy were delayed by more than an hour on Saturday after another suspected act of sabotage during the Winter Olympics. The disruptions affected the connection between Naples and Rome, with problems also reported on the route north to Florence.

Transport Minister Matteo Salvini strongly condemned the incidents, calling them "hateful crimes" against workers and the entire country. He also called on people not to downplay these acts, as he believes they endanger human lives.

Authorities are investigating damaged and burned cables on the high-speed rail line between Rome and Naples, as well as other possible cases of vandalism between the capital and Florence.

Last Saturday, the first full day of the Games, an anarchist group claimed responsibility for a similar attack. Damage to infrastructure near Bologna caused delays of up to two and a half hours for high-speed trains, Intercity connections, and regional lines.

Italy is hosting the Winter Olympics in Milan and Cortina d'Ampezzo from February 6 to 22.

(reuters, sab)