Travelers between Paris and London were severely affected on Friday (March 7) when all Eurostar trains were suspended after an unexploded World War II bomb was discovered close to railway tracks.
5000kg Bomb Discovered Close to Railway Tracks
The local media reported that employees performing earth-moving work in Saint-Denis, a Paris suburb, dug up a 500kg bomb two meters underground “in the middle of the tracks” at approximately 4 am. Train services were stopped immediately for safety reasons.
In line with formal guidelines, Eurostar canceled at least 10 trains on Friday morning. The company then stated that all services would be suspended throughout the day, inconveniencing the travel plans of thousands of commuters, including those taking weekend breaks.
Travellers Stranded at Busy Stations
The abrupt cancellations stranded passengers at London St Pancras and Paris’ Gare du Nord, one of the busiest transport centers in Europe. The French state-owned railway company, SNCF, asked travelers to delay their journeys, while Eurostar apologized, admitting the disruption caused.
‘No Fear of Explosion,’ Says French Transport Minister
In spite of the disruption, French transport minister Philippe Tabarot reassured people that there was “no fear” of a blast and that experts were taking care of the situation.
“All the precautions have been taken for defusing the bomb and safely evacuating it,” he said.
Frustration Grows Among Stranded Travelers
With no other transport immediately available, stranded travelers complained about the sudden cancellations.
We’re desperately on our phones trying to work out what to do,” said Jess Sayer from Norwich, who was stranded in Paris with her husband.
She continued: “We just attempted to get a flight. All the flights are fully booked, so at the moment, we are totally stuck in Paris with no means of getting home.
Gare du Nord, which accommodates approximately 700,000 passengers every day, is a central transport node, linking internal routes, Paris’ primary airport, and overseas destinations such as London, Brussels, and Dutch cities.
WWII Bomb Discoveries Are Rare in Urban Areas
Although unexploded ordnance from both of the World Wars remains found quite regularly throughout France, in densely populated cities such as Saint-Denis, it is rare. Bomb-disposal technicians were quickly sent to the scene, and the defusing process was in progress.
Officials have not yet officially stated when Eurostar trains will be running again, making passengers unsure what to do next.
