Prime Minister Giorgio Meloni blasted anti-Olympic protesters as “enemies of Italy and Italians”.

Italian Prime Minister Giorgio Meloni denounced anti-Olympic protesters as “enemies of Italy and Italians” after violence broke out on the fringes of a Milan rally and alleged damage to train infrastructure.

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) joined the criticism on Sunday, condemning violence at Saturday’s protests in Milan and saying such behavior would not be tolerated at the Olympics.

The incidents took place during the first day of competition at the Winter Olympics, which Milan co-hosts with the Alpine town of Cortina d’Ampezzo.

Meloni praised the thousands of Italians, many of whom are volunteers, who are working to ensure the Games go ahead.

“There are those who are enemies of Italy and Italians. Protesters staged ‘anti-Olympic’ demonstrations, which resulted in these images ending up on television around the world. After others cut railway cables to prevent trains from leaving,” the prime minister wrote in a statement on Facebook on Sunday.

Italy’s transport ministry said it had launched an investigation into suspected “terrorism” after a railway sabotage incident near the city of Bologna on Saturday, with the perpetrators facing multi-million euro damages claims.

Thousands of people took to the streets of Milan on Saturday to protest against the environmental and social consequences of the Olympics, including concerns over excessive public spending and ecological damage.

The march began peacefully, become nervous as some protesters set off smoke bombs and firecrackers near Olympic venues. Police in Milan used tear gas and water cannon to disperse the crowds, leading to clashes near the Olympic Village and nearby highways.

IOC spokesman Mark Adams told reporters on Sunday that peaceful protests were legal but “we draw the line at violence” and that violence “has no place at the Olympics.”

Separately, protesters held rallies against Israel’s participation in the Olympics and against U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), which has deployed agents to provide security for the U.S. delegation at the games.

At Friday’s opening ceremony, the small Israeli delegation entered Milan’s San Siro stadium to boos from the crowd. The four Israeli athletes, waving flags and smiling, watched as the jeers were quickly drowned out by loud music and an overall festive atmosphere.

US Vice President J.D. Vance and his wife, Second Lady Usha Vance, received a similarly hostile reception when they appeared on stadium screens.