Introduction
Eurostar delays have thrown travel plans into disarray across Europe, following a chaotic chain of events including two fatalities and the theft of 600 metres of copper cable on the LGV Nord line near Lille, France. Services between London, Paris, Brussels, and Amsterdam have been heavily disrupted for two consecutive days, affecting thousands of passengers.
Although repairs have now been completed, Eurostar confirmed that delays will continue throughout the day as crews and trains remain out of position. As a result, passengers are being urged to postpone travel or request refunds.
What Caused the Eurostar Delays?
The initial disruption began on Tuesday when two separate fatal incidents occurred on the LGV Nord high-speed railway line, which connects Paris to northern France and onwards to the UK. This forced the railway to shut down for most of the afternoon and evening, causing major delays and cancellations on Eurostar’s international services.
Just as partial service was being restored, a second blow came from a cable theft incident near Lille. Thieves reportedly stole around 600 metres of vital copper wiring, forcing trains to reroute and creating more disruption across the network.
Impact on Passengers
At London’s St Pancras International station, hundreds of passengers were left queuing for hours as services were either cancelled or significantly delayed. Some travellers reported chaotic scenes and lack of communication from Eurostar staff.
“It’s quite horrible—long queues, not enough seating, and nobody knows what’s going on,” said Elizabeth Romijn, a 75-year-old yoga teacher from the Netherlands, as quoted by BBC News.
Eurostar said that five trains between London and Paris have already been cancelled. Passengers with affected bookings can rebook or request a full refund through their online system or in person at stations.
Operator Response and Repair Status
Eurostar confirmed that repairs to the damaged track and stolen cables have now been completed. One track was initially reopened to allow trains to move in both directions, while full repair work continued. Although no further cancellations are expected today, extended delays are likely as normal service gradually resumes.
“We’re very sorry for the impact this is having on our customers,” Eurostar said in an official statement. “Our teams are working closely with French infrastructure operators to safely restore services.”
What Should Affected Passengers Do?
- Check Eurostar’s real-time service updates before heading to the station.
- Request a free rebooking or full refund if your train is cancelled.
- Expect long queues at service centres and allow extra time.
- Bring water, food, and phone chargers to prepare for delays.
Passengers stuck at St Pancras and other stations have been offered water and basic refreshments, but overcrowding and frustration remain widespread.
Conclusion
The recent Eurostar delays have underlined the vulnerability of Europe’s high-speed rail network to both tragic accidents and criminal sabotage. While services are expected to normalize soon, many travellers are likely to face lasting inconvenience. For now, Eurostar recommends delaying travel where possible, while refund and rebooking options remain available.
For more updates on international rail services and travel safety, visit The Morning News Informer’s World News section.
Related Read: Eurostar Travel Disruptions: What You Need to Know
