Flooding in railway tunnels in southeastern England has led to the cancellation of all trains connecting London with the European mainland, according to international rail operator Eurostar. This disruption has affected travel plans for thousands of passengers during the New Year holiday period.
Eurostar, known for its services from London to Paris, Brussels, and Amsterdam, has announced that affected customers are eligible for a full refund or exchange.
Initially, Eurostar cancelled 14 trains scheduled for Saturday due to the flooding. However, as the flooding continued, the company made the decision to cancel all 41 trains for the day.
The cause of the flooding in the railway tunnels under the River Thames near Ebbsfleet, east of London, remains unknown at this time.
Recent heavy rain in parts of England and an official warning for strong and gusty winds in southern England have contributed to the challenging conditions.
Television footage has captured water gushing into one of the tunnels, submerging the tracks. Meanwhile, at St Pancras station in London, hundreds of stranded passengers are patiently waiting on the concourse.
Eurostar acknowledges the importance of getting home during this festive season and ahead of the New Year. The company is providing support to customers at the affected stations.
This is the second time in just 10 days that Eurostar services have experienced significant disruptions. Prior to Christmas, a “last-minute strike” by French workers halted trains.