Eurostar train becomes stranded on return from Paris

[dutchman]

A special Eurostar service from Paris has become stuck near Ebbsfleet in Kent, after trains were left stranded in the Channel Tunnel on Saturday.


Passengers say there is no heating and lighting, and food has run out.

Earlier, five trains were stuck in the tunnel trapping more than 2,000 people for up to 16 hours.

Eurostar said special trains were being laid on on Saturday night to transport as many passengers as possible between London and Paris and Brussels.

'Really uncomfortable'

Passenger Natasha Seal-Jones, from Belper, Derbyshire, said the train left Paris at about 1430.

It initially came to a standstill for about two hours as it left the tunnel, then another engine sent to tow it to St Pancras also broke down just past Ebbsfleet, where those on board disembarked at about 2300.

She told the BBC News website: "It was really cold on the train at the beginning then it started to get really hot. It was really uncomfortable.

"There was no food available whatsoever, and hardly any drinks. When we asked questions we weren't getting any response."

The trains that became stuck in the tunnel suffered electrical failure due to freezing conditions.

Police appeal

Eurostar ran a limited service but later cancelled three of the four trains due to leave London on Saturday and scrapped all services for Sunday.

It said the cancellations were made due to ongoing concerns with the weather.

Some test trains will run on Sunday but will not carry passengers.

A Eurostar spokesman said: When you have severe cold and snow even if you are operating within speed restrictions, which we were yesterday afternoon and evening, you do get a build-up of snow under and around the train and when you enter the tunnel you get water and at the end of the day these are electric trains."

Meanwhile, police have urged motorists to stay away from major routes around Dover and Folkestone unless their journey is essential.

Continued delays are expected on the M20 and other routes because of the tunnel problems and severe weather preventing ferries disembarking at Calais.

[pollyanna]

All Eurostar services are still suspended. This all started because of the cold weather conditions in France -

Operation stack has been lifted now - so that will relieve some of the pressure - but with more snowfall overnight - and still snowing now - this will cause more grief and misery for travellers.

But hey - it's the shortest day today and the nights will start drawing out