Eurostar Train Evacuated After Four-Hour Delay in Northern France

A Eurostar train traveling from Brussels to London faced a significant disruption, necessitating the evacuation of passengers after a prolonged four-hour wait near Calais, France. The incident, caused by a power failure, left travelers stranded for nearly eight hours, significantly extending their journey and causing considerable discomfort.

The train, which departed Brussels at 08:52 local time, was scheduled to arrive in London St Pancras International by 09:57 BST. However, a critical power failure between Lille and Calais brought the service to a halt, leaving the train without essential onboard electricity, including air conditioning and functioning toilets.

Passengers reported growing frustration as the hours ticked by without immediate assistance. Many took to social media to voice their complaints about the lack of basic amenities and communication from Eurostar. Lidia Aviles, a passenger on board, described the situation as “terrible, especially for babies and elderly people,” highlighting the overflowing toilets and the absence of air conditioning during the extended standstill.

Emergency services and local rescue teams eventually arrived to provide assistance, distributing water to the stranded passengers. However, passengers were initially prevented from leaving the train for several hours due to security concerns related to people present near the train tracks.

Eurostar has since issued an apology for the significant disruption and inconvenience caused. A spokesperson stated that a rescue train was “promptly dispatched” to collect passengers. The transfer process, described as a “complex operation,” took longer than anticipated, with passengers like James Grierson noting that the initial offloading alone took two hours. By 16:45 local time, a replacement train had arrived, and passengers began boarding, though the process was still ongoing.

To compensate for the ordeal, Eurostar has offered affected customers a choice between a full cash refund or a voucher equivalent to three times the value of their original ticket. The company has reiterated its apologies, acknowledging the difficult experience faced by its passengers.

This incident highlights the challenges that can arise with high-speed rail travel and the importance of robust contingency plans for power failures and other unforeseen technical issues.

Reported by Ian Aikman & Kris Bramwell, BBC News.