An anarchist group claimed responsibility for sabotaging rail infrastructure in northern Italy on the first full day of the Winter Olympics, causing delays of up to 2-1/2 hours, mainly around Bologna. Authorities reported no injuries or train damage. Deputy Prime Minister Matteo Salvini vowed to pursue those responsible, while Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni condemned the saboteurs as "enemies of Italy." A separate clash in Milan involved about 100 hooded protesters who threw flares and fireworks at police.
Anarchists Claim Rail Sabotage Disrupted Trains On First Full Day Of Italy's Winter Olympics
A woman looks at a board announcing delays at the Milan train station, as Italian police investigate possible sabotage to electricity cables near the city of Bologna that have caused delays to a large part of the national railway network, in Milan, Italy, February 7, 2026. REUTERS/Guglielmo Mangiapane
ROME, Feb 9 — An anarchist group said on Monday it was behind sabotage to rail infrastructure in northern Italy on Saturday, disrupting train services on the first full day of the Winter Olympic Games.
Police reported three separate incidents at different locations early on Saturday that caused delays of up to 2-1/2 hours for both high-speed and regional services, with the greatest impact felt around Bologna. Authorities said no one was injured and no trains were damaged.
Group Statement
In a message circulated online, the group said a tougher response by Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni to demonstrations had rendered street confrontations "ineffective," forcing them to adopt other methods of protest. The statement added:
"It therefore seems necessary to adopt clandestine methods, decentralise the conflict and multiply its fronts, and turn to self-defence and sabotage in order to survive the times ahead."
The anarchists also denounced the Olympic Games as a "glorification of nationalism," arguing the event served as a "testing ground" for crowd policing and movement surveillance.
Official Reaction
There was no immediate comment from police on the claim. Deputy Prime Minister Matteo Salvini, who oversees the Transport Ministry, pledged a full response and wrote on X that authorities "will do everything to ... hunt down and flush out these thugs wherever they hide, to put them in prison and to confront those who defend them." He added: "Long live the Olympics, symbol of an Italy that builds, that inspires emotion, that never gives up."
Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni condemned both the street protesters and those responsible for the sabotage as "enemies of Italy."
Related Unrest
Shortly after the rail incidents, a breakaway group of around 100 hooded demonstrators split from a larger anti-Olympics march in Milan — a co-host city — and threw flares and fireworks at police. Police said the clashes were separate from the railway incidents but added to tensions surrounding the Games.
Reporting by Crispian Balmer; Editing by Alison Williams.
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