Netherlands rail disruption due to suspected sabotage, operator says

Parts of the Netherlands, including Amsterdam, were hit by major rail disruption after suspected sabotage to the tracks on Tuesday morning, the country’s railway infrastructure operator said.

ProRail said pipes and cables were laid on tracks at multiple locations in the country’s centre and north in more than 35 incidents.

It added the acts appeared to be intentional, causing widespread cancellations and delays, with new disruptions occurring in some places after objects had initially been removed.

No suspects or motives have yet been identified. Police said a criminal investigation had been launched.

The operator said the pipes and cables caused its computer systems to believe trains were on the tracks, meaning traffic control was unable to clear the railway.

“Placing materials on the tracks is extremely dangerous and unacceptable, and fortunately, it did not lead to any accidents today,” it said.

Speaking earlier, Dutch Prime Minister Rob Jetten described the incidents as “disruptive and life-threatening”.

In one case early on Monday, a train “struck metal” on the track near Steenwijk, in the country’s east. ProRail said there was no further damage because the train was not travelling at full speed.

The national public prosecutor’s office and the Netherlands’ intelligence agency AIVD are investigating the incident alongside police.

Routes to the main international airport, Schiphol, Eindhoven and Utrecht were among those affected on Tuesday. The closure of some level crossings also caused some disruption to roads.