Thousands of Eurostar passengers faced significant delays and cancellations recently due to cable theft, just a day after two tragic fatalities disrupted services. The incident occurred in Lille, France, where 600 meters of copper cables were stolen overnight, leading to major service interruptions.
Eurostar announced that the theft forced them to reroute trains, which resulted in longer travel times for passengers. Although the company reported that repairs were completed and services resumed by 1 PM UK time, they warned that some delays would persist throughout the day.
In a statement, Eurostar expressed regret for the disruption and emphasized that they were working hard to assist affected travelers. Passengers were advised to postpone their journeys, with options for free exchanges and refunds available. Many travelers at stations, particularly at St Pancras International in London, reported long queues and confusion as they sought information on their travel plans.
The situation was exacerbated by the earlier fatalities on the rail lines in France, which had already caused a backlog of trains and staff. On the day of the cable theft, several Eurostar services between London, Brussels, and Paris were canceled or delayed, leaving many passengers stranded and frustrated.
One traveler, Nigel Hardman from Blackpool, shared his experience of arriving in London only to find their Eurostar trip to Paris canceled. Faced with limited options, he and his family decided to take a train to Brussels instead, resulting in a loss of around £700 on hotel bookings and connecting travel.
Another passenger, Elizabeth Romijn, described the chaos at the station, noting that while she was accustomed to occasional issues with Eurostar, the disruption felt particularly overwhelming this time. She opted to wait at the station in hopes of boarding a train to Brussels, despite the uncertainty.
Eurostar’s troubles highlight ongoing challenges faced by rail services, particularly in the wake of criminal activities like cable theft, which not only cause immediate disruptions but also lead to longer-term operational issues. The company is committed to improving its services and ensuring that passengers receive the support they need during such difficult times.