France “is under attack” after its high-speed national rail network was “paralysed” by sabotage attacks in an apparent bid to disrupt this evening’s opening ceremony of the Paris Olympics.

In “coordinated” attacks, signals along the tracks were set on fire and cables cut and set alight, sources close to the investigation said.

Jean-Pierre Faranadou, head national rail operator SNCF, said: “Today, it’s the major (holiday) departures that are under attack...it’s the French who are under attack” as he called the plans of thousands to visit the Games “ruined”.

The sabotage followed warnings that foreign countries whose athletes have been barred from the opening ceremony, notably Russia, would seek to disrupt the Games.  

The attacks triggered mass cancellations. Some 250,000 passengers have been affected, according to Valérie Pécresse, head of the Paris regional council. Over 800,000 are expected to be affected throughout the weekend.