TA-ATTACKS: Bomb Found on French Railway

A bomb has been found on the railway that connects Paris and Basel, Switzerland. The bomb was secured and made safe by a bomb squad, but traffic is still suspend on the line while authorities search for more bombs. French PM Jean-Pierre Raffarin is urging everyone to remain calm, since the bomb caused no damage.

Bloomberg.com
France's national rail operator said it suspended train traffic between Paris and Basel, Switzerland, after a "suspect package" was found on the tracks near the city of Troyes.

An unexploded bomb with several detonators was found on the Paris-Basel rail link, Agence France-Presse reported, citing police in the French capital.

The device was similar to one found previously that police linked to AZF, a group whose threats to bomb the French railways prompted a nationwide search of the network earlier this month, AFP cited police as saying. AZF had demanded for $4 million and 1 million euros ($1.22 million), AFP reported at the time.

No one has claimed responsibility for the bomb yet, and authorities are saying that the bomb is not similar to the AZF test bomb that authorities found earlier this month. The bomb was composed of a clear container with nitrate fuel, a battery, and 6 detonators. Interior Minister Nicolas Sarkozy said that the bomb was "very dangerous."

AZF is still an unknown group who has made earlier claims to bomb the French railways if a ransom was not met. Earlier this month, the group revealed the location of a test bomb to show their intent. Authorities said that the test bomb was skillfully made and would have destroyed the railway if placed there.

Related ATSNN Story:
Mystery Group Threatens To Bomb French Railways


[Edited on 24-3-2004 by dbates]

[Edited on 24-3-2004 by dbates]