ProRail: Pipes placed on railway tracks disrupted rail traffic in the Netherlands

Approximately 20 incidents disrupted train traffic in several areas of central and northern Netherlands during the Tuesday morning rush hour. Long, thin pipes were found on the railway tracks and removed by emergency response teams, causing significant delays and traffic disruptions.

ProRail, the railway infrastructure operator, said that all available indications show that the disruptions were caused deliberately by one or more people. For now, it is not known who placed the objects on the tracks or what the motive behind the actions was.

The Dutch national police have launched an investigation to identify those responsible and determine the purpose of the incidents. Images presented by public broadcaster NOS show the pipes being removed from the railway.

The disruptions also affected road traffic. Several level crossings remained closed, causing additional problems in the affected areas.

ProRail did not specify when normal service would resume. Infrastructure teams continue their work to remove the objects and reopen the lines safely.