Improvised demonstrations have multiplied throughout France since the decision of the Constitutional Council to validate the pension reform. And in Marseille, it is the Saint-Charles station that actually bears the brunt. Rail traffic has been suspended there for around 8 p.m. due to the presence of demonstrators on the tracks, who then placed objects on the rails, according to SNCF announcements.
“We were confronted at the Saint-Charles station with an invasion of tracks” by demonstrators, confirmed to AFP a communicator from the SNCF. These were around 150, according to the Bouches-du-Rhône prefecture.
“The circulation of trains has been interrupted since 8 p.m., due to protesters on the tracks”, indicated the company in voice announcements broadcast around 9 p.m. at the station, when many trains showed delays in departure or arrival .
The recovery should not delay
The demonstrators, who then dispersed on the tracks far from the station, and who were therefore not visible from the platforms, finally left the tracks “but left objects that impede traffic”, again according to the announcements of the company, traffic remaining suspended.
The TGV from Paris to Toulon was thus rerouted and did not stop at Marseille station. Traffic “should not normally take any longer” to resume, said SNCF, adding that checks were underway to ensure that no more people or objects were present on the tracks.