Train services have been severely disrupted across the Netherlands after objects were found on railway tracks at multiple locations, causing failures in the signalling system.
Pipes were found attached to tracks in several parts of the country early on Tuesday morning. ProRail, the company responsible for the Dutch railway infrastructure, said the objects had been placed intentionally.
The rail network operator describes it as a unique situation.
Police have opened an investigation, but no group has claimed responsibility.
State Secretary Bertram of Infrastructure and Water Management calls the sabotage on the railroad “particularly concerning.” “It is now important that this be thoroughly investigated.”
The disruption began at around 5.30am, when ProRail initially recorded about 13 signalling faults. The number later rose to more than 20, with regional reports putting the total at around 24.
The pipes caused track circuits to register empty sections as occupied, automatically turning signals red. Because trains could no longer be located with sufficient certainty, services had to be halted as a safety precaution.
Several level crossings were affected as well, leaving barriers down and roads blocked.
ProRail spokeswoman Joke van der Cruysen told Dutch public broadcaster NOS that the materials had been “intentionally put there” and warned that more locations could still be discovered.
“You cannot run a safe and reliable timetable like that,” she said.
A train hit one of the objects, although ProRail said it did not cause an accident and nobody was injured.
Staff were instructed to remove the pipes and restore the railway while preserving potential evidence for the police investigation. ProRail has not disclosed every location where objects were found.
According to sources cited by NOS, locations included the Utrecht–Arnhem line near Veenendaal and Overberg, the Amersfoort–Deventer route and the Gouda–Oudewater line.
The disruption was particularly severe north and east of Utrecht. The NS journey planner showed few or no trains on several routes, including Amersfoort–Deventer, Zwolle–Zutphen, Zwolle–Leeuwarden, Utrecht–Arnhem, Amsterdam–Utrecht, Amersfoort–Zwolle and Utrecht–Gouda.
Dutch railway operator NS warned that the disruption would have knock-on effects across the national network. It hoped to restore services through Amersfoort, Zwolle and Deventer after midday, although replacement buses were limited.
Stations became busy, but NS said the situation remained manageable.
ProRail described the incident as a failure of the railway’s safety system rather than damage to the tracks or a power outage. The fact that objects were found at multiple locations has raised the possibility of coordinated sabotage, although it is too early to say who was responsible or what the motive may have been.
Van der Cruysen said determining responsibility was a matter for the police rather than ProRail.
Travelers are advised to use the digital travel planner to know if and when they can use the train, but due to the increased use, the software is overloaded.
The disruption comes on Prinsjesdag, when the Dutch king delivers the government’s annual speech setting out its plans and budget in The Hague. The day traditionally brings additional traffic on railway lines serving the city.
There is currently no evidence linking the disruption to Prinsjesdag, however. Dutch authorities have not publicly connected the incident to a political protest, foreign interference or any particular group.
Sabotage also disrupted train traffic during the NATO summit in The Hague last year.
Climate extremists or Russian saboteurs could be possible suspects behind today’s disturbance, since both have been more active across Europe in recent times.
⚡ UPDATE: New development in Germany’s power-grid sabotage case.
What initially raised fears of possible Russian involvement is now being investigated as an apparent climate-extremist attack.
🔍 Investigators have named a 48-year-old activist as their main suspect.
Read the…
— Brussels Signal (@brusselssignal) September 7, 2026
