Severe disruptions and numerous cancellations plagued Eurostar services on Tuesday, significantly impacting year-end holiday travel plans. A major power outage within the Channel Tunnel brought all rail traffic to a complete standstill for an extended period. This unexpected incident left thousands of passengers stranded, disrupting their festive arrangements and causing considerable distress.
The operational paralysis commenced due to a critical power supply issue manifesting deep within the vital undersea link. A Eurotunnel Le Shuttle service, carrying numerous road vehicles and their occupants, was consequently forced to halt inside the tunnel, exacerbating the precarious situation. In response to the escalating difficulties and the ensuing uncertainty, Eurostar, the primary passenger rail operator, initially suspended all departures from London. These cancellations affected key continental destinations including Paris, Amsterdam, and Brussels.
The root cause of this widespread paralysis has been definitively attributed to faulty overhead cables within the Channel Tunnel. These essential cables necessitated urgent and extensive repair work to restore functionality. This significant technical malfunction not only halted Eurostar's high-speed passenger trains but also impacted Eurotunnel Le Shuttle operations. These services are responsible for ferrying cars and their passengers between Folkestone and Calais.
While Le Shuttle services commenced a slow and tentative resumption on a single track shortly before 3 PM local time, the recommencement of Eurostar's full schedule remained uncertain. Passengers faced prolonged delays and the persistent threat of further last-minute cancellations. By mid-afternoon, Eurostar began to cautiously reintroduce some services, albeit with significant delays. The full extent of the disruption was anticipated to persist for the remainder of the day, casting a pall over end-of-year celebrations for many.