The high-speed train service that connects Spain’s capital Madrid to Barcelona was suspended on Thursday morning as the fiber-optic cables used to power the trains’ communications systems have been stolen, according to Spanish railway operator Renfe quoted by elpais.com.

A total of 20 trains and 7,000 riders are affected by the incident.

A group of Romanian offenders are believed to be responsible for the situation, according to Romanian Digi24 news station.

Three days ago, groups of Romanians were caught near a train station some 80 kilometers away from Barcelona trying to steal copper wires in order to sell them to recycling centers. The Civil Guard arrested 14 people, 10 of whom were Romanians, after catching them on film during the night while cutting the cables.

The fiber optic cables are essential for the guiding systems of the high-speed trains, which can travel at speeds of up to 310 km/h.

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editor@romania-insider.com