A major power outage inside the Channel Tunnel brought Eurostar services to a standstill on Monday, disrupting cross-border travel between London and key European hubs during one of the busiest holiday periods of the year.
Operations were suspended on all routes linking London with Brussels, Paris, and Amsterdam, leaving thousands of passengers stranded on platforms and aboard stationary trains for hours. Eurostar described the incident as an “unexpected technical failure” affecting electrical infrastructure inside the tunnel.
Passengers Face Long Delays and Cancellations
Many travelers reported queues stretching across stations, with limited information on when services would resume. Some trains returned to stations mid-journey, while others remained halted along the route as engineers tried to restore power.
Families heading home after the holidays, commuters, and tourists alike were advised to delay non-essential travel. Several passengers shared frustration over missed flights and hotel bookings, while others praised staff for maintaining communication on board despite the uncertainty.
Eurostar Issues Apology and Refund Options
Eurostar apologized for the disruption and confirmed that tickets affected by cancellations will be refunded or rebooked free of charge. Additional staff were deployed across stations to assist travelers and manage growing crowds.
“We understand how critical these journeys are at this time of year,” the company said in a statement, adding that teams were working closely with tunnel operators to restore services safely.
Broader Transport Ripple Effects
The outage triggered knock-on delays across European rail networks, as connecting services adjusted schedules. Airports in London, Paris, and Brussels also reported higher passenger volumes as travelers rushed to find alternative routes.
Authorities stressed that there was no safety risk, but emphasized that full service restoration could take time as systems were inspected.
What Happens Next
Eurostar urged customers to check online updates before heading to stations and expect residual disruptions even after power is restored. Transport analysts warned that the incident highlights the vulnerability of high-capacity routes during peak holiday travel.
For many travelers, the outage served as an unwelcome reminder: when Europe’s most critical rail link stops, the continent feels it.
