The unearthing of a massive unexploded World War II bomb near railway tracks severed high-speed rail connections between Paris, London, and Brussels on Friday, disrupting weekend travel plans and triggering widespread delays.
Eurostar, the high-speed train operator linking the UK with continental Europe, announced the cancellation of all services to and from Paris’s Gare du Nord, a key hub for international routes, including Brussels, the Netherlands, and major French destinations.
The SNCF, France’s national rail service, reported that Gare du Nord typically accommodates 700,000 travelers daily, but on Friday, red warning signs informed passengers of significant disruptions.
“All Eurostar trains are cancelled to and from Paris today,” the company said in a statement to The Associated Press. “Eurostar sincerely apologizes for the disruption and understands the inconvenience this may cause. We appreciate everyone’s patience and cooperation during this time.”
French Transport Minister Philippe Tabarot confirmed that workers discovered the half-tonne bomb overnight while conducting earth-moving operations near the tracks in Seine-Saint-Denis, a densely populated area bordering northern Paris. Bomb disposal teams were dispatched, and authorities established a wide security perimeter, evacuating nearby areas. Tabarot urged commuters to delay their trips.
Though World War-era bombs are periodically uncovered across France, such a discovery in a highly trafficked location is rare.
At London’s St Pancras station, Eurostar’s primary UK terminal, travelers scrambled for alternatives. Fridays typically see heavy traffic with thousands departing for weekend trips. Passengers were advised to take alternative routes, such as trains to Lille in northern France or flights to Paris.
“We’re looking up flights, but our options are limited,” said Lauren Romeo-Smith, who had planned a birthday weekend in Paris.
Source: Swifteradio.com
