More than 35 acts of suspected sabotage targeted railway tracks in the centre and north of the Netherlands on Tuesday morning, 15 September 2026, causing major disruption across the network including Amsterdam.
The sabotage involved pipes and cables deliberately placed on tracks. This triggered false detections of trains on the signalling systems, blocking traffic control from clearing affected sections and forcing widespread cancellations and delays nationwide.
Key routes to Schiphol Airport, Eindhoven, and Utrecht faced interruptions. Replacement bus services were not offered by Nederlandse Spoorwegen (NS) due to the extensive scale of disruption. Some locations saw repeated disruptions after initial
removal of objects placed on the tracks.
Rail Operations and Passenger Impact
Train operator NS reported impacted services remained disrupted into the evening, with two lines still affected as of 17:00 CEST (16:00 GMT). Level crossings were also closed, adding to road traffic disturbances.
One train on Monday morning, 14 September, near Steenwijk in the eastern Netherlands, struck metal on the tracks but sustained no significant damage as it was travelling below full speed.
Investigations and Official Responses
Dutch police units from across the country are conducting criminal investigations alongside the national public prosecutor’s office and the Netherlands’ intelligence agency AIVD. No suspects or motives have been identified to
date.
ProRail, the railway infrastructure operator, condemned the acts as extremely dangerous, stating, “Placing materials on the tracks is extremely dangerous and unacceptable, and fortunately, it did not lead to any accidents today.” NS interim CEO Mirjam van Velthuizen called for greater investment in contingency and resilience measures for the rail network, noting, “In a world where uncertainties are increasing, we must ensure that the railway can absorb disruptions, that the impact remains limited as much as possible, and that we can recover as quickly as possible.” Dutch Prime Minister Rob Jetten described the sabotage incidents as “disruptive and life-threatening.”
Wider Context and Additional Impacts
The sabotage incidents coincided with Prinsjesdag, the traditional day the Dutch government presents its budget. The timing raised concerns but authorities have not established any direct link to the Farmers Defence Force, which confirmed protests took place but denied responsibility for the railway sabotage.
Road disruptions also arose from the closure of level crossings associated with the sabotage. NS outlined the country’s significant reliance on its railway infrastructure and emphasized the severe challenges posed by such deliberate disruptions.
The incidents come after an unconfirmed report of possible sabotage causing a derailment in Normandy, France, highlighting rising concerns about railway security
in the region.
