ProRail initially reported more than 35 incidents, while other sources cited at least 20 to 33 locations affected. Footage from Dutch public broadcaster NOS showed police removing metal pipes, approximately 1.5 meters long, from tracks in Veenendaal. In Steenwijk, a train struck one of the objects early in the day, but ProRail confirmed there were no injuries and that the train was not traveling at full speed. The operator emphasized that placing materials on tracks is “extremely dangerous and unacceptable,” noting that no accidents resulted from the disruptions. Several level crossings were also closed, causing secondary traffic disruptions on roads.
Dutch Prime Minister Rob Jetten described the incidents as “disruptive and life-threatening.” The events coincided with Prinsjesdag, the annual day marking the start of the Dutch parliamentary year and the presentation of the government budget. Annet Bertram, the secretary of state for infrastructure and water management, called the timing “particularly worrying.” While Dutch media reported indications that farmer activists may be behind the sabotage to coincide with budget day, authorities have not confirmed this link. Police, the national public prosecutor’s office, and the intelligence agency AIVD have launched a joint investigation. No suspects or motives have been officially identified.
The disruption highlighted the fragility of the railway network. Mirjam van Velthuizen, interim CEO of national train operator Nederlandse Spoorwegen (NS), stated that bus replacement services were not possible due to the scale of the disruption. She called for increased investment in contingency planning to ensure the railway can absorb future disruptions and recover quickly. This incident follows a previous confirmed case of sabotage in June 2025, when a deliberate fire damaged cables near Schiphol Airport during the NATO summit in The Hague. ProRail’s monitoring systems identified the anomalies on Tuesday, allowing traffic to be halted before major incidents occurred. Authorities are continuing to clear the tracks and secure the network while the investigation proceeds.
