On the first day of the Olympic Games, train traffic in Italy experienced major disruptions due to suspected sabotage. The incident involved damaged overhead lines near the central station in Bologna, a critical junction for high-speed trains. As a result, numerous delays were reported on Saturday morning, impacting both local and long-distance travel across the region.

Authorities are investigating the situation and have expressed concerns that the sabotage could have political motives, as suggested by various Italian media outlets. Italy's state rail company has confirmed that the damages were not due to any technical failures, pointing towards malicious intent. The timing of the sabotage, coinciding with the commencement of the Olympic Games, raises alarms about potential motives behind the act.

Matteo Salvini, one of Italy's vice prime ministers, commented on the situation, implying that if it is confirmed to be a deliberate act, it could indicate malign intentions aimed at disrupting Italy during this significant global event. This incident highlights the vulnerabilities in critical infrastructure during international events and the potential for politically motivated sabotage.