The Basel-Mulhouse air hub was shut down early on Friday, hours after sabotage disrupted the French high-speed rail network
French media reported that a bomb threat prompted the temporary evacuation of an airport on the Franco-Swiss border early Friday. The Basel-Mulhouse EuroAirport, situated on the French side of the border near Basel, was affected.
The Haut-Rhin prefecture informed Agence France-Presse (AFP) that the facility’s closure was necessary for security reasons due to the bomb threat. Authorities responded according to standard procedures, deploying explosives experts to the site.
The airport has since announced its return to normal operations in a statement posted on its website.
“The airport has reopened and flight operations are gradually restarting. Passengers are requested to contact their airline for information about their flight,” the statement read.
This incident comes as French authorities investigate a series of arson attacks and cable thefts that occurred overnight Thursday on the French high-speed train network TGV. Authorities have labeled these events as “acts of sabotage” in the lead-up to the Paris Olympics opening ceremony, scheduled for later Friday.
Travel disruptions were estimated to affect at least 800,000 people. The country’s state railway operator SNCF reported the diversion or cancellation of numerous trains, with a full restoration of service not anticipated before Monday.
The 2024 Olympic Games will be held in Paris from July 26 to August 11. The opening ceremony, set to take place on Friday, will feature a first-time occurrence, with the athletes parading in boats on the River Seine instead of a stadium. According to French media, approximately 45,000 police and paramilitary officers, along with 10,000 soldiers and 22,000 private security guards, will be on duty during the opening ceremony.