Eurostar passengers are continuing to face delays after two people were struck by trains.
Services in both directions between London St Pancras International and Gare Du Nord in Paris have already been cancelled this morning.
Passengers are facing delays at London St Pancras this morning. Picture: @davidofsussex
Eurostar’s website confirms no services are expected to run until at least midday.
It follows two separate fatalities, the first between Lille and Paris at about 5pm yesterday.
The second person was hit between Lille and Arras, according to local media.
A separate incident involving cable theft this morning is adding to the chaos for passengers.
Eurostar is advising travellers to change their journey for a different time or date while they work to resolve the situation as soon as possible.
The operator said: “Due to major disruptions on the Eurostar network yesterday, our trains are subject to cancellation today.
“This was caused by a two fatalities on the French high speed line.”
Eurostar posted on X this morning to say trains will be running, but there are a “few cancellations” and “a lot of passengers travelling”, adding: “The situation might still be difficult.”
Eurostar services are experiencing cancellations and delays after a person was struck by a train in Lille. Picture: Nathan Gallagher/Eurostar
Shortly before 8.20am this morning, one passenger posted on X: “Train cancelled yesterday after hours of delay.
“Now the new one I’m booked on for today (had to get a premiere seat) says delays and possible cancellation due to cable theft.
“You have to be kidding me. What’s going on? Is the 1.30pm LDN–>PARIS cancelled too??”
A Eurostar spokesperson told KentOnline this morning: “We are deeply sorry to confirm that there were two separate fatalities on the LGV Nord high-speed line between Lille and Paris yesterday. Our thoughts are with the families and friends of those who lost their lives.
“The line was closed for much of the afternoon and evening.
“As a result, Eurostar services are experienced significant disruption, with some cancellations on routes to and from Paris. London-Brussels-Amsterdam services were running but with some delays.
Passengers are stuck at Gare Du Nord in pairs after a person was struck by a train in Lille. Picture: Naomi Sanger
“Disruption is expected to continue today due to trains and crews being displaced.
“We are working closely with the French authorities and infrastructure teams to manage the impact and keep services running where possible.
“We sincerely apologise for the disruption experienced by our customers.
“Our teams are doing everything possible to support affected customers and crew.
“Water is being distributed onboard delayed trains, and passengers have been contacted directly with updates and available options.
“Station staff continue to remain on hand to assist anyone who needs further support. Anyone impacted will receive a refund/be able to re-book their train for free.”
Queues to purchase food and drink have formed at Gar Du Nord after the Eurostar service was delayed. Picture: Naomi Sanger
However, a separate incident involving cable theft this morning is causing further delays.
The spokesperson added: “Due to an incident of cable theft on the LGV Nord high-speed line near Lille this morning, our services to and from London are experiencing further disruption today following two fatalities on the same line yesterday.
“Trains are being re-routed via divisionary routes, which is leading to extended journey times, and some services are affected by displaced trains and crew following the closure of the line for much of yesterday.
“We’re very sorry for the continued disruption and the impact this is having on our customers. Our teams are working hard to restore services as quickly and safely as possible, and support customers in the stations.
“Customers have been contacted directly with updates and available options, and we’re advising those due to travel today to postpone their journey with free exchanges and refunds available.”
Yesterday, there were huge queues at both the UK and French railway stations.
Naomi Sanger, from Snodland, told KentOnline yesterday evening she boarded the 4.31pm at Gare Du Nord but it never left and she was left stranded at the station.
She posted on X that the food and drinks supply was running out, and the air con was not working.
Commenting online, Naomi said: “The supplies of food and drinks are running out, air con is not working, coffee machine broken as is the card machine! Total joke.”