Eurostar Suspends Channel Tunnel Trains
Eurostar suspended all train services on Tuesday between London, Paris, Brussels, and Amsterdam after a major overhead power supply failure inside the Channel Tunnel, causing widespread disruption during one of the busiest winter travel periods in Europe.
The rail operator, which connects Britain with continental Europe, earlier urged passengers to postpone their travel plans, warning of “major disruption” and a high risk of severe delays and last-minute cancellations.
What Caused the Eurostar Disruption?
According to a Eurostar spokesperson, the disruption was triggered by a power supply problem in the Channel Tunnel, followed by a shuttle train coming to a halt inside the tunnel. The incident affected both passenger and vehicle transport services linking the UK and mainland Europe.
Eurostar said on its website:
“We regret that trains that can run are subject to severe delays and last-minute cancellations.”
Services Gradually Restarting, But Disruptions Continue
Later on Tuesday, Eurostar announced that services were gradually restarting as the Channel Tunnel partially reopened. However, the company did not specify which routes had resumed and strongly advised travelers to reschedule their journeys.
“As the Channel Tunnel has partially reopened we will start to resume services,” the company said, adding that the overhead power supply issue remains unresolved.
A spokesperson told Reuters that Eurostar could not yet confirm when full services would resume and declined to say how many passengers were affected.
Impact on Channel Tunnel and Le Shuttle Services
The disruption also affected vehicle transport through the tunnel. Le Shuttle, which carries cars and trucks between Calais, France, and Folkestone, England, confirmed that its operations were suspended on both sides of the English Channel due to the same power supply issue.
Key Facts About Eurostar Operations
Eurostar operates high-speed passenger trains between:
London
Paris
Brussels
Amsterdam
Disneyland Paris
Despite the current disruption, 2024 was Eurostar’s most successful year, with the company carrying 19.5 million passengers, highlighting the scale of impact when services are interrupted on this critical international rail corridor.
Advice for Passengers
Eurostar continues to advise all passengers scheduled to travel through the Channel Tunnel to:
Postpone or reschedule their trips
Check official updates on the Eurostar website
Expect delays and possible last-minute cancellations even as services restart
The situation remains fluid as engineers work to resolve the ongoing power supply problem in the Channel Tunnel.
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