Italian authorities are investigating three acts of railway sabotage in northern Italy, with officials suggesting a potential link to the Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics. The incidents, which occurred in the Bologna region and near Pesaro, led to significant travel delays for thousands of commuters and Olympic attendees.

One confirmed incident involved a fire at a railway switch on the Bologna-Venice line, suspected to be arson. No group has yet claimed responsibility. Transport Minister Matteo Salvini expressed concern on 7/2, stating, "These acts of sabotage caused significant disruption to thousands of passengers. This is concerning."

The sabotage occurred shortly after the Winter Olympics commenced on the evening of 6/2 in Milan, with events ongoing across northern Italy's mountainous regions. Salvini, leader of the far-right League party and a member of Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni's coalition government, is "closely monitoring the situation." He drew parallels to a 7/2024 incident where railway sabotage paralyzed France's high-speed network before the Olympic Games opening ceremony.

Railways in Italy. NurPhoto.

A spokesperson for the Transport Minister noted "similarities in modus operandi and timing" between the Italian incidents and the French event when asked about a specific link to the Milan-Cortina Olympics. Italian law enforcement agencies are actively investigating. Despite the disruptions, a spokesperson for the state railway company Ferrovie dello Stato confirmed that delays were not due to technical faults and emphasized that the railway lines remained operational, not paralyzed.