Eurostar: Channel Tunnel blackout causes chaos, all trains canceled

Eurostar said it would resume services to Europe today, but previous power supply issues persisted and passengers were strongly advised to postpone their journeys.

A man traveling to Paris for New Year with his partner said they will have to “put their romance on hold” after Eurostar trains were cancelled.

John Paul, from Peterborough, who was a surprise Christmas present from his partner Lucy, said they were on the train to Paris for five hours before the train unexpectedly returned to London.

Speaking from King’s Cross St Pancras, the 46-year-old said: “We had a seven o’clock train departure this morning and I think we sat on the train for about an hour waiting to depart from here and then we walked along the track for about an hour, maybe 40 minutes, and then they basically said the train had to stop because the train in front had a brake problem.

“They kept telling us that the driver was trying to fix the brakes on the other train and then the other trains backed up, which is basically the same story we’ve been told.”

Mr Paul said they had booked a Paris river cruise and trip to the Eiffel Tower for Tuesday night, adding: “We had to put romance on hold for a while.”

Simon Calder reports from St Pancras, London:

At 2.45pm an announcement rang out in the lobby: “The Channel Tunnel has reopened but Eurostar services are not yet running. We are awaiting updates and will keep you informed.”

The problem for passengers is that once trains resume running, there will be fierce competition for seats. Passengers with reservations on running trains will be given priority.

But travelers reported problems using the Eurostar app and said there was no option to rebook on later services.

Simon Calder Travel Reporter independentLondon St Pancras International Airport reported: “The scene at the Eurostar terminal was one of quiet desperation.

“Thousands of passengers crowded the concourse and were blocked from the Eurostar ticketing and check-in area by police and security staff.

“I saw no Eurostar staff, just a list of canceled trains and a sign saying: ‘Due to problems with the Eurotunnel, our trains may be severely delayed. We apologize for the inconvenience caused’.”

“Most passengers want to return to mainland Europe from the UK. They are huddled around their smartphones trying to find alternative ways home.”

Dogs, including Tim Brown’s dog Rilo, were stranded without food and water for more than three hours on Le Shuttle in Calais.

Mr Brown, who was trying to return to the UK after spending Christmas in Germany, said his dogs Lillo and Vinnie “hate life” being stuck on a train.

“The thing that shocked me the most was that no one offered to give everyone a bottle of water,” he said.

“I know things happen, but this is definitely an easy way to help.”

The operator said it expected LeShuttle services through the Channel Tunnel to gradually resume following an earlier power supply incident.

Getlink, which manages and operates the tunnel, said: “An incident involving train power supply occurred in parts of the Channel Tunnel last night, affecting train and shuttle traffic. Technical intervention is required and is currently underway.”

“Services suspended in both directions. Traffic is expected to gradually resume around 1500 CET [Central European Time ] Available to LeShuttle customers.

“Our teams are working hard to restore the situation as quickly as possible.

“Wait times will be adjusted throughout the day.

“Eurotunnel apologizes for the inconvenience and thanks customers for their patience and understanding.”

Hundreds of cars lined up at Le Shuttle in Folkestone.

At least it wasn’t raining.

Passengers affected by Eurostar train disruptions can return home on LNER trains free of charge, the rail operator said.

The statement said: “LNER passengers with tickets for Tuesday, December 30, who are affected, can travel on another LNER train today, December 30.

“Any passenger who has to abandon their journey to London King’s Cross Station can return to their home station on the next available LNER service at no extra cost.

“LNER passengers who choose to postpone their Eurostar travel to another date can travel on the same day using their existing LNER ticket.”

LNER operates services on the East Coast Main Line.

A Eurostar spokesman told the PA that a broken down LeShuttle train had been moved out of the Channel Tunnel.

The operator said no passengers were stranded in the tunnel.