Railway services across large parts of the Netherlands were disrupted Tuesday after pipes and cables were deliberately placed on railway tracks at dozens of locations, triggering safety systems and forcing trains to stop during the morning rush hour.

According to Dutch railway infrastructure operator ProRail more than 35 disruptions were recorded on Sept. 15, primarily across central and eastern parts of the country. Materials were found attached to or placed across tracks, causing railway systems to register sections of track as occupied even when no train was present. 

“We are therefore now classifying this as sabotage of the railway tracks,” ProRail spokesperson Joke van der Cruysen told Reuters.

Police, prosecutors and the Netherlands’ AIVD intelligence agency are investigating. Authorities have not identified who was responsible or established a motive.

For the best of our weekly content！

There is something wrong, please try again later
By signing up, you agree to our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy, and to receive messages from Vision Times.
SIGN UP

You are now signed up for our newsletter

Check your email to complete sign up

Pipes and cables trigger rail shutdowns

The problems began around 5:30 a.m. as the railway network was preparing for the morning schedule.

ProRail said workers discovered pipes and cables positioned on the tracks in central and eastern Netherlands. The objects interfered with track circuits used to determine whether a section of railway is occupied, automatically turning signals red and preventing trains from proceeding.

“In total, there were more than 35 such disruptions, all of which have now been resolved,” ProRail said.

The disruptions affected passenger and freight services and caused problems at level crossings, which remained closed in some locations and disrupted road traffic as well.

International rail services to Germany were also affected, Reuters reported.

At Steenwijk, a train struck material that had been placed on the track. ProRail said there were no consequences because the train was already operating under special instructions and was not traveling at full speed.

More unusually, workers reported that objects sometimes reappeared after they had already been removed.

“At some locations, multiple reports were made,” ProRail said. “We removed materials that had been found on the track, but later received another report of a disruption at the same location.”

No injuries were reported.

Farmers drive tractors as they take part in a demonstration to protest against the cabinet’s proposed nature and nitrogen policy at the Provincial Government building in Leeuwarden on Sept. 2, 2026. (Image: Jilmer Postma / ANP / AFP via Getty Images)

Farmer protests unfold at the same time

The railway sabotage occurred as Dutch farmers staged separate protests against government policies, including setting fire to hay bales and tires near highways.

The demonstrations coincided with the ceremonial opening of parliament and the presentation of the government’s 2027 budget plans.

Farmers Defence Force acknowledged responsibility for the highway fires but denied organizing the railway sabotage, according to Reuters.

“We feel like the country is on fire,” Farmers Defence Force spokesperson Sieta van Keimpema said. “Farmers feel as though their businesses are on fire because of the government’s plans.”

The group said it could not rule out the possibility that individual farmers had acted independently, but investigators have not publicly connected any person or organization to the railway incidents.

Dutch farmers have held repeated protests over government efforts to reduce nitrogen pollution, which can require reductions in livestock numbers or changes to agricultural operations near protected nature areas.

King Willem-Alexander, delivering the government’s policy agenda to parliament, said it would be “irresponsible” not to address nitrogen pollution despite the consequences some measures could have for farmers, Reuters reported.

The government has promised compensation for agricultural businesses affected by efforts to restore protected natural areas.

Investigation focuses on deliberate interference

ProRail said the positioning of the materials left little doubt that Tuesday’s disruptions resulted from deliberate human action.

“At this moment, it appears to be an intentional disruption of train traffic through human action,” the railway operator said. “Who is responsible and what the motive is are not yet known.” 

Police collected the pipes, cables and other materials for forensic examination, while ProRail increased surveillance at affected locations using cameras and additional patrols.

Interim ProRail CEO Mirjam van Velthuizen said the incident demonstrated how dependent the country is on functioning rail infrastructure.

“The disruptions today affected many travelers and show how dependent the Netherlands is on a well-functioning railway,” she said. “At the same time, events like these underline how important resilience is.” 

ProRail noted that the Dutch railway system consists of thousands of kilometers of infrastructure important not only for passenger travel but also freight transportation and the broader economy.

The operator said additional long-term investment will be needed to strengthen the network against deliberate interference.

“Without additional investments, vulnerabilities will remain,” ProRail said.

Original article