Over the weekend, deliberate damage to railway tracks and infrastructure was reported in northern Italy, causing serious disruptions to train services. The incidents occurred on 7 February 2026, the first day of the Milan-Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics.
According to the Italian Ministry of Transport and the police, three coordinated acts of sabotage were reported in different parts of the region:
Arson attack on a distribution board/signal box near Pesaro (on the Adriatic coast, Adriatica line);
Signalling and train speed control cables cut in the Bologna area (specifically, at Castel Maggiore/Bivio Navile on the high-speed section);
A primitive homemade explosive device (ordigno rudimentale) found on a points switch on the Bologna-Padua line.
As a result, high-speed, intercity and regional trains faced delays of up to 2.5–3 hours, with cancellations and the temporary closure of part of Bologna Centrale station (including the Alta Velocità underground section). The disruption affected thousands of passengers, including those travelling to Olympic venues.
Transport Minister Matteo Salvini called the incident a ‘deliberate attack’ and ‘serious sabotage,’ reminiscent of similar acts of sabotage on the French TGV network on the opening day of the 2024 Olympics in Paris. He stressed that ‘someone wishes Italy ill’ at a time when the country is hosting a major sporting event.
The Bologna prosecutor’s office has opened an investigation, including under the terrorism article. The case is being handled by the DIGOS and Polfer anti-terrorism units. No group has yet claimed responsibility, but among the theories is an action by radical anarchist or anti-Olympic groups.