Dutch authorities are investigating a wave of attacks and protests that affected railways and motorways and caused massive disruption to the country’s transport system on September 15.

Pipes and other materials were placed on railway lines, bringing parts of the network to a standstill during the morning rush hour. More than 30 disruptions at multiple locations were reported, according to ProRail, which manages the network. Additionally, fires were started near major roads, affecting traffic.

Farmer groups have taken responsibility for some of the roadside fires, which are related to protests against government proposals that they say would affect their livelihoods. The Farmers Defence Force, a lobby group, said the fires were the “emergency cry of farmers who will see their farms disappear because of the cabinet plans.” Police arrested six people in relation to the blazes, according to news agency NOS.

The FDF said it wasn’t behind the sabotage of rail lines, but it couldn’t rule out that individual farmers had acted independently with what a spokesperson called “wild actions,” NOS reported.

Prime Minister Rob Jetten said what happened was “disruptive and life-threatening.” 

“Blocking roads and tracks deliberately puts people in danger,” Vincent Karremans, minister of infrastructure and water management, said in a post on X. “That is never the way to make your point.”

Police haven’t yet publicly identified any suspects. The security service is also investigating the railway sabotage.

By the afternoon on September 15, the motorway fires had stopped and traffic started moving. Rail operator NS said material had been removed from all tracks., making them available for trains again. However, travelers were warned to still expect delays and canceled trains.

Nitrogen Protests

The attacks came as parliament opened and government prepared to present its draft budget. The minority administration is facing months of tricky negotiations to get it passed. It’s also faced vocal criticism from farmers over a proposal to reduce nitrogen emissions, which would restrict how much land can be farmed.

In the buildup to the budget announcement, groups including the FDF had called for protests against the government.

The densely populated Netherlands has one of Europe’s most nitrogen-intensive agricultural economies. It’s become a major headache for successive governments, which have sought to balance environmental concerns about excessive pollution with the concerns of farmers. Finding a solution to the issue is seen as one of Jetten’s biggest challenges.

Last month, Jetten called on farmers to stop driving tractors on highways as part of their protests after accidents that claimed two lives.