A significant rail disruption incident in France has impacted Eurostar services just before the Olympics.
- Massive fires, suspected as acts of vandalism, have severely affected high-speed rail lines.
- The chaos has prompted widespread train cancellations and diversions, notably affecting Eurostar routes.
- The French Foreign Office has issued an alert advising passengers to stay informed and consider travel adjustments.
- Travel operators are mobilising resources to address the situation and assist passengers proactively.
The French rail network is experiencing severe disruption due to what is suspected to be deliberate vandalism. Fires have been reported across the Atlantic, Northern, and Eastern high-speed rail lines, leading to significant service interruptions. Eurostar services to and from Paris, in particular, are heavily impacted, with several trains being cancelled or delayed. This disruption coincides with the upcoming Paris Olympic Games, critically affecting passenger travel plans.
An estimated 800,000 passengers face travel interruptions as French rail operator SNCF reports the extent of the damage. Eurostar has announced that all high-speed trains between Paris and Lille are being diverted, increasing journey times by approximately an hour and a half. The company is actively engaging with affected passengers through various communication channels, including email, SMS, and their official website, Eurostar.com.
In response to these events, the Foreign Office in France has issued a travel alert. Passengers are advised to verify the status of their journeys with their travel operators or through the railway operator’s website before setting off. With the potential for continued disruption until Monday, 29 July, travellers are urged to postpone non-essential travel where possible.
Eurostar’s operational teams are highly engaged, working at full capacity in stations, call centres, and onboard to support and inform passengers. They are focusing on providing timely and accurate information to minimise inconvenience. The incident underscores the vulnerability of critical transport infrastructure to acts of vandalism, especially during major international events.
The ongoing rail disruptions in France highlight the need for enhanced security measures to safeguard pivotal infrastructure as the Olympics approach.
