Train services between Britain and mainland Europe were severely disrupted after a major power outage hit the Channel Tunnel rail network, stranding thousands of passengers and causing widespread delays before services gradually resumed.
The disruption affected Eurostar trains traveling between London, Paris, Brussels, and Amsterdam, as well as freight services using the tunnel. Operators said the outage occurred late Sunday evening, forcing several trains to stop mid-journey.
Trains Halted — and Passengers Stuck
Passengers reported being held on trains for hours with limited information. Some were evacuated onto alternative transport, while others were redirected to different stations as rail staff worked to restore power.
“We were told the train couldn’t move, then waited for updates that didn’t come,” said one traveler.
“People were anxious — especially those with flights or connections.”
Eurostar confirmed that power was progressively restored, but warned that timetables would remain disrupted into the following day as trains were repositioned and backlog cleared.
What Caused the Outage?
Officials said early indications suggest a technical failure within electrical systems supplying the tunnel infrastructure. Engineers from Getlink — the company operating the Channel Tunnel — launched an investigation, stressing there was no security threat or structural risk to the tunnel.
Continuing Knock-On Effects
Even after limited service resumed, many passengers were rebooked or faced reduced schedules.
Airports and ferry routes also saw increased traffic as travelers sought alternative routes between the UK and continent.
Eurostar apologized for the disruption, offering compensation under its service guarantee policies.
A Reminder of Network Fragility
Transport analysts note that incidents like this highlight how dependent cross-border travel systems are on single points of infrastructure — particularly during peak holiday periods.
Authorities said they will review contingency procedures to improve communication and emergency planning.
For now, rail operators are advising travelers to check schedules before leaving for stations and expect possible residual delays.
