Days of torrential rain have only added to the gloomy atmosphere in France, already facing a third full day of train strikes after months of protests and political turmoil.
With images of inundated towns and flooded homes flashing across television screens, the swelling waters have been a distraction for a government dealing with a maximum-level terror threat ahead of the Euro 2016 soccer championship. The month-long competition starts on June 10 and is expected to draw 2.5 million fans to France.
About 90,000 security personal will be deployed to secure Euro 2016, according to the Interior Ministry. In the wake of last year's terror attacks in Paris, France is wary of the possibility of a terror attack when large crowds gather for the sporting spectacle.
Government calls for an end to the national strike
France's government called yesterday for an end to the national rail strike that has reduced train services by about half. The number of staff taking part fell to just above 10 per cent yesterday, rail operator SNCF said. The concerns about transport during Euro 2016 eased somewhat last week after air traffic controllers called off a walkout that had been expected to ground flights this weekend.
More travel disruption was to come, however, with pilots at flag carrier Air France planning to strike from June 11 through to 14 in a dispute with management. The government has told the pilots their plans to stop work were "irresponsible". Air France chief executive officer Frederic Gagey said soccer fans seeking to attend the Euro 2016 games can "take trains, drive cars" or fly other airlines to get to France.
However, anyone driving to France might have to consider filling up before the border. Four of oil company Total's five refineries in France have been halted by unrest. While a run on fuel resulted in hundreds of petrol stations running out of supplies, by late Thursday, Total was reporting that only 47 of its 2,200 stations were without fuel.
Share this:
