Materials that appear to have been deliberately placed on railway tracks caused major disruption across the Netherlands, including in Amsterdam. ProRail reported roughly 30 separate incidents affecting routes to Schiphol, Eindhoven and Utrecht; one train struck an object but no injuries were reported. Police, the public prosecutor and intelligence service AIVD have launched a criminal investigation, while authorities say no motive or suspects have yet been identified. Officials have not confirmed any link between the incidents and same-day farmers' protests.
Suspected Sabotage Triggers Widespread Rail Disruption Across the Netherlands
Some level crossings were closed as a result of Tuesday's disruption [EPA]
Significant rail disruption affected large parts of the Netherlands, including Amsterdam, after items reported as pipes and cables were deliberately placed on tracks in multiple locations, the national infrastructure operator ProRail said.
ProRail told the BBC the disruption was not yet fully resolved but that services were gradually being restored following widespread cancellations and delays across the country's central and northern regions on Tuesday.
What Happened
Local media and security footage showed metal pipes — about 1.5 metres (5 ft) long — and cables on tracks at several sites. ProRail said these materials appeared to have been "deliberately placed" and caused section malfunctions across the network. In one instance, a train in Steenwijk struck an object; no injuries were reported.
About 30 separate disruptions were reported nationwide. Major routes affected included services to Schiphol airport, Eindhoven and Utrecht. The closure of some level crossings also created knock-on effects for road traffic in affected areas.
Information boards at Zwolle station showed significant delays on Tuesday [EPA]
Response And Investigation
Dutch police opened a criminal investigation. The national public prosecutor's office and the domestic intelligence service AIVD are working with police and ProRail to identify suspects and establish a motive. Officers remained at impacted sites while lines were checked and reopened.
Nederlandse Spoorwegen, the main train operator, said the scale of the disruption made it "not possible" to provide full bus replacement services. By Tuesday afternoon, services were gradually resuming but delays and some cancellations persisted. Eurostar reported a delay of a service from Amsterdam to Paris because of operational restrictions at Amsterdam Centraal, but said its wider services were not affected by the national disruption.
Context And Other Incidents
Separately, hay bales were set on fire along various roads as farmers staged protests. Farmers Defence Force (FDF) denied responsibility for the rail incidents but said it could not rule out involvement by individual farmers. Authorities have not established a link between the protests and the sabotage.
Dutch investigators are also monitoring reports from France that a derailment in Normandy on Friday may have been caused deliberately; French prosecutors said a section of rail found on the track could have contributed to that crash, though French officials urge caution while that inquiry continues.
ProRail: "Materials were found at multiple locations in the track that were deliberately placed there. This causes section malfunctions. Sabotage appears to be involved."
Authorities continue forensic and criminal inquiries. Passengers were advised to check official operator updates before traveling.
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