Eurostar Disruptions: 16 Trains Cancelled Due to Power Outage

Travelers experienced significant disruptions on one of Europe’s busiest rail routes on Monday, as at least 16 Eurostar trains were cancelled due to a power outage near Moussy, located in northeastern France. This incident occurred during the peak summer travel season, creating chaos for passengers heading to and from Paris. Delays are expected to persist throughout the day.

The French railway company, SNCF, reported that the power failure, which began affecting services around 08:00, forced the closure of a critical section of the rail network north of Paris. In addition to the cancellations, multiple trains between Paris and London, as well as Brussels and Amsterdam, were impacted, with two services on the Paris-Brussels line returning to their original stations.

Eurostar officials indicated that passengers affected by the disruptions can either exchange their tickets free of charge or request a full refund. A spokesperson advised travelers to consider postponing their journeys if possible. The online timetable revealed that several trains from London to Paris faced delays, some extending up to two hours, alongside additional cancelled services.

Impact on Travel and Ongoing Issues

The widespread disruption comes on the heels of previous incidents affecting Eurostar services. In June, passengers faced major delays and cancellations following the deaths of two people on the tracks in France and the theft of cables near Lille. Earlier in March, disruptions occurred when an unexploded World War II bomb was discovered at Paris’ Gare du Nord station, highlighting ongoing challenges for the rail operator.

In addition to the Eurostar cancellations, trains traveling to and from Paris’ main Charles De Gaulle Airport were also affected. The situation underscores the vulnerability of rail infrastructure to technical failures, which can cause considerable inconvenience during high travel periods.

While SNCF has not disclosed specific details about the cause of the power outage, they noted that “major repairs” are necessary to restore normal operations. This incident adds to a growing list of challenges faced by Eurostar, which in July of the previous year reported being targeted by “several acts of malevolence,” including deliberately set fires along various high-speed lines.

As the situation develops, travelers are encouraged to stay informed and check for updates on their travel plans.