Italy Blames Sabotage for Rail Delays on First Day of Olympics

An advertisement poster for the Milan-Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics, in Milan.

Photographer: Francesca Volpi/Bloomberg

Italy faced widespread rail disruption on first day of the Winter Olympics, with the country’s transport minister saying it was an attack on the nation.

Cables were cut near Bologna, a key railway hub in north of the country, causing delays to high-speed, intercity and regional rail services. Authorities said they are investigating a sabotage case, possibly linked to anarchist groups.