Eurostar suspends all Europe trains after Channel Tunnel power problem

LONDON/PARIS: Eurostar suspended all train services across Europe on Tuesday after a power supply problem in the Channel Tunnel, causing chaos for travellers during the busy New Year period.

The disruption affected services between London, Paris, Amsterdam, and Brussels, leaving passengers scrambling for alternatives.

“Due to a problem with the overhead power supply and a subsequent failed Le Shuttle train, the Channel Tunnel is currently closed,” a message on Eurostar’s website read. “Unfortunately, this means we have no choice but to suspend all services today until further notice.” Passengers were advised not to travel to stations.

Later, Eurostar said it had started resuming services through the tunnel but warned that the overhead power issue remained and urged passengers to delay travel where possible. Even continental services not using the tunnel, such as Paris-Brussels routes, were cancelled during the day.

At London’s St Pancras station and Paris’ Gare du Nord, crowds of stranded passengers with suitcases grew frustrated as their end-of-year travel plans were disrupted.

“I’m disappointed. We were going to do New Year’s Eve in Paris,” said Jessica, a 21-year-old business coordinator travelling with friends. “We will see if we can find another ticket. Otherwise, we’ll stay in London.”

Jodie, a 37-year-old Briton with an AirBnB booked in Paris until January 4, said, “We can’t find tickets for tomorrow. It has disrupted all our holiday. We are looking for alternative routes.”

Some travellers took the disruption in stride. Sophie Gontowicz, returning to Paris after a short trip to London, said, “In the end, it gives us an extra day of vacation.”

Similarly, 19-year-old Grace Emery, also British, said she might take a ferry. “It’s an inconvenience, but stuff like this happens all the time,” she told AFP.

Others were more determined to get back on schedule. Chaitan Patel, 46, an American, said, “We’re looking at every option: plane, car — but even flying is difficult.”

Katherine Jordan, 39, hoping to return to London with her nine-year-old son for New Year’s Eve, said any travel within the next 48 hours would be “amazing.”

Eurostar, which has a monopoly on passenger services through the tunnel linking Britain and France since 1994, carried a record 19.5 million passengers last year, up nearly five per cent from 2023, boosted by visitors to the Olympics and Paralympics in Paris.

The disruption comes amid criticism over Eurostar’s high fares, particularly on the Paris-London route. The company has faced several technical issues this year, including an electrical fault in August and cable theft in northern France in June.

British entrepreneur Richard Branson has announced plans to launch a rival service, and Italy’s Trenitalia aims to compete on the Paris-London route by 2029.

Le Shuttle, which operates vehicle-carrying trains between Folkestone and Calais, was also affected by the power issue.