More than 2.5 million people have fled Ukraine since the start of the Russian invasion.
The number of refugees arriving in France is "
rapidly increasing
", Prime Minister Jean Castex recently said.
To date, around 10,000 people have arrived in France from Ukraine, said Emmanuelle Wargon, Minister for Housing.
Others are due to arrive, but some are only passing through France and wish to join “
especially Spain and Portugal
”.
Read alsoHow the SNCF organizes the transport of Ukrainian refugees
The SNCF multiplies the initiatives to welcome these Ukrainian refugees.
The latest?
The rail operator increased by “
a few hundred places
”, this Saturday, the capacity of its Paris-Barcelona service, departing from Gare de Lyon, explains SNCF to
Figaro
, confirming information from Europe 1. “
We we have not seen any massive flows but we are adapting to a demand for refugees wishing to go to Spain and in particular to Barcelona
, ”explains a spokesperson for the SNCF.
Free tickets
The SNCF has set up reception desks in four Parisian stations (Gare de l'Est, Gare du Nord, Gare de Lyon, Gare Montparnasse) for Ukrainian refugees.
In Gare de l'Est, the latter are welcomed by the Red Cross which tells them the procedure to follow to obtain a free ticket, on presentation of an identity document, confirms the spokesperson for the SNCF.
“
We then accompany them so that they can reach their destination
”.
For the time being, no other additional train is planned for other countries, says the operator.