Travelers endured significant disruption today as a Eurostar train became stranded in the Channel Tunnel for two and a half hours, sparking frustration and distress among passengers.
The incident added to widespread post-Christmas travel challenges across the UK.
Passengers on the 6:01 am Eurostar service from London St Pancras to Paris faced delays after the train came to a halt about an hour into its journey due to a technical fault. Stranded in the tunnel, some passengers were brought to tears over missed flights and disrupted plans, while others expressed anger over ruined holidays.
The train eventually resumed movement at 9:30 am and reached Calais Fréthun station, where passengers transferred to a replacement service. The travelers were expected to arrive in Paris around 3:20 pm, six hours behind schedule.
Broader delays across Eurostar and Le Shuttle services
The disruption had a ripple effect, with other Eurostar services from Paris, Brussels, and Amsterdam delayed by 30 to 70 minutes. Operators resorted to using only one tunnel bore to work around the stalled train.
Le Shuttle services for vehicles between Folkestone and Calais were also impacted, leading to three-hour waits. The congestion spilled over onto the M20 slip road, causing additional delays for drivers.
Passenger experiences: stress, frustration, and missed opportunities
Among those affected was TV producer Gaby Koppel, who described the ordeal to The Independent. "We stopped in the tunnel about an hour into the journey. There were occasional announcements, but the fault remained unclear," she said, noting the growing discomfort in the carriage due to reduced lighting and poor ventilation.
Ms. Koppel shared her experience on social media, lamenting missed appointments, including a planned visit to the Pompidou Centre. "It’s now six and a half hours since we left London, and we’re still not in Paris," she posted.
Alicia Peters, traveling with her eight-year-old daughter to Disneyland Paris, described the situation as "very stressful." Her daughter was reportedly distressed by the lack of power and the stuffy conditions on board.
Other passengers expressed frustration with the lack of clear communication, with one traveler reporting on social media that little assistance was available during the transfer at Calais.
Eurostar and Le Shuttle respond
Eurostar issued an apology, explaining the technical issue that caused the delay. "The safety and wellbeing of our customers is our priority. We’re really sorry for the inconvenience caused today," a spokeswoman said, adding that passengers were kept informed through announcements and messages to their phones. Drinks were provided during the transfer at Calais.
Le Shuttle also apologized for delays caused by the incident, assuring drivers they were working to resolve the issue.
Nationwide rail disruptions
The Eurostar chaos was part of a larger pattern of rail disruptions across the UK. A signalling fault in Wolverhampton affected services by multiple operators, while over-running engineering works caused significant delays in West London and Wakefield. ScotRail services between Glasgow and Motherwell faced interruptions due to damage to overhead wires, and other lines dealt with issues such as broken-down trains and obstructions.
These problems compounded planned engineering works over the Christmas period, including closures at key stations like London Liverpool Street, Paddington, and routes in the Cambridge, Crewe, and Harpenden areas.
Travelers are advised to check for updates and plan for potential delays as rail services continue to recover from the holiday disruptions. Photo by NFH at the English-language Wikipedia.