Huge delays on Eurostar and Eurotunnel after power cut

Eurostar and Eurotunnel passengers face hours-long delays after services were stopped due to a power cut.

The problem started at about 2pm and Eurostar said all trains due to run before 6pm (UK time) were cancelled. Customers using Eurostar, which runs passenger trains from London St Pancras to Paris and Brussels, suffered disruption after services were held due to a technical issue. And people using Eurotunnel, which operates freight and car services between the UK and French coasts, were also affected after the passenger service was temporarily suspended.

Eurotunnel said the power failure was on the overhead supply and technicians were in the tunnel working to fix the problem. No trains were stuck in the tunnel as a result of the issue. The company said it hoped services would resume at about 6pm (UK time).

A Eurostar spokesman said: We re sorry for the current delays. We ve held traffic due to a technical issue on the line. The company added that if customers are holding a ticket for trains affected by the disruption, they can exchange their tickets or request a refund by accessing their booking online1. Some people did not think the company was keeping them up-to-date.

Samantha K White said on Twitter: At Brussels and nobody has given any information as to what is happening. Only know from checking twitter. Not good. And @bendypitts tweeted: I m sat past security, no train no announcements here.

What should I do just sit here forever? Eurotunnel said in a statement: Our passenger service is temporarily suspended due to a technical fault in the tunnel which is in the process of being resolved. We sincerely apologise for the inconvenience this will cause to your journey.

The company said it was offering customers transfer to a ferry. Meanwhile, Eurostar earlier said a number of its services are set to be cut as the company reviews its operations. In March, Eurostar said its underlying operating profit fell by 38% over 12 months, due in part to atrocities in the French capital last November.

(c) Sky News 2016: Huge delays on Eurostar and Eurotunnel after power cut2

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References

1. ^ accessing their booking online (www.eurostar.com)
2. ^ Huge delays on Eurostar and Eurotunnel after power cut (iwradio.co.uk)