Thousands of travellers between London and Paris faced major disruptions on Friday after an unexploded World War II-era bomb was discovered on the railway tracks in France. The unexpected find forced the suspension of Eurostar services for much of the day, throwing travel plans into chaos.
According to French transport minister Philippe Tabarot, the bomb was discovered around 4am on Friday morning by railway staff conducting routine maintenance work. The discovery prompted immediate safety protocols, including the suspension of all train traffic in the affected area while bomb disposal experts were called in.
As a result, numerous Eurostar trains were cancelled or delayed throughout the day, with thousands of passengers stranded at stations on both sides of the Channel. Travellers took to social media to express frustration and confusion as updates slowly trickled in, many having been caught off-guard by the emergency.
Eurostar Services Resume After Unexploded Bomb Discovery Disrupts Travel Between London and Paris
By Friday afternoon, Minister Tabarot addressed the press, confirming that bomb disposal teams had been deployed and that authorities were working swiftly to ensure the area was safe. “Our top priority is the safety of passengers and staff,” he said, adding that efforts were being made to resume normal services as quickly as possible.
Despite the disruption, Eurostar has now confirmed that normal service will resume on Saturday. The rail operator said it plans to run its usual schedule, along with one additional service in each direction between London St Pancras International and Paris Gare du Nord to help ease the backlog caused by the cancellations.
The first Eurostar train departing from London to Paris on Saturday is scheduled to leave St Pancras at 6:31am, according to the company’s official timetable.
Passengers affected by Friday’s cancellations have been advised to check their emails and the Eurostar website for rebooking options or refunds. The company has also offered apologies for the disruption, stating that “safety must always come first,” especially in light of the dangerous discovery.
The incident is a reminder that even decades after World War II, unexploded ordnance still occasionally causes disruptions to modern infrastructure. While rare, such discoveries are treated with the utmost caution to avoid any risk to public safety.
With services set to return to normal on Saturday, Eurostar hopes to put the unexpected ordeal behind them — and help travellers get back on track.
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