Schiphol Train Disruption: Police Investigate Potential Sabotage Amid NATO Summit
A major train failure near Amsterdam’s Schiphol Airport is under criminal investigation, with authorities not ruling out sabotage as a potential cause, particularly given the timing coinciding with the ongoing NATO summit.
The disruption began shortly before 6:00 a.m. local time when a fire erupted impacting rail lines between Amsterdam and Schiphol, effectively halting all train traffic to and from the airport for several hours. While rail manager ProRail has restored service south of Schiphol, lines north of the airport – serving Utrecht and Amsterdam – remain unusable. Dutch Railways anticipates service will not fully resume before 11:00 p.m. tonight.
Investigation Underway
Law enforcement is treating the incident with utmost seriousness. “We are emphatically investigating whether someone was responsible for this incident,” a police spokesperson stated in a press release. Forensic investigators are currently on-site, examining the scene of the short circuit, and a helicopter is assisting with aerial surveillance. Evidence collected is being analyzed, and authorities are appealing to local residents for any relevant images captured overnight.
The cause of the fire remains undetermined. Approximately thirty cables sustained significant damage and require replacement, a process ProRail estimates will take the entire day. “Such a fire has major consequences,” explained a ProRail spokesperson. “Some you can see immediately, but others are invisible and then you have to test.”
NATO Summit Complicates Travel
The timing of the disruption is particularly unfortunate, coinciding with the NATO summit which has already led to widespread road closures. According to Dutch Railways, this has amplified the impact of the rail outage. “The disruption now weighs extra heavy because many roads have been closed for the NATO summit and many people have chosen to travel with public transport. That makes it extra annoying,” a spokesperson noted.
Despite the disruption, the morning commute was reportedly less congested than usual, likely due to the summit’s encouragement of remote work. Shuttle buses are currently operating to Sloterdijk station as an alternative, and travelers are advised to utilize the Leiden route for access to the airport. Motorists traveling to Schiphol have been warned to expect longer travel times and increased congestion.
Sabotage a Possibility
The proximity of the incident to the NATO summit has prompted speculation about potential malicious intent. Minister Van Weel (Justice and Security) confirmed that sabotage is being considered as a line of inquiry. “That is one of the things we investigate,” he said. “Then the question is: who is behind it? It can be an activist group, it can be another country. It can be anything.”
The location of the fire, along the A4 highway, is easily accessible, raising concerns about potential external involvement. While ProRail has not ruled out other causes, such as copper theft, a comprehensive investigation is underway in collaboration with the police, exploring multiple scenarios.
The situation remains fluid, and authorities are prioritizing the restoration of rail service while simultaneously pursuing all possible leads to determine the cause of this significant disruption.
