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| Channel Tunnel disruption goes on | Channel Tunnel disruption goes on |
| (30 minutes later) | |
| Thousands of passengers hoping to travel through the Channel Tunnel face further disruption after a fire on a freight train. | Thousands of passengers hoping to travel through the Channel Tunnel face further disruption after a fire on a freight train. |
| The tunnel is closed after the fire broke out about seven miles from Calais on Thursday afternoon. Firefighters say the blaze has now been put out. | The tunnel is closed after the fire broke out about seven miles from Calais on Thursday afternoon. Firefighters say the blaze has now been put out. |
| Thirty-two people on board were led to safety. Fourteen had suffered minor injuries, including smoke inhalation. | Thirty-two people on board were led to safety. Fourteen had suffered minor injuries, including smoke inhalation. |
| Eurostar said it "did not expect" to operate any services on Friday. | Eurostar said it "did not expect" to operate any services on Friday. |
| Passengers were still arriving at St Pancras International in London on Friday hoping services to the Continent would resume. | Passengers were still arriving at St Pancras International in London on Friday hoping services to the Continent would resume. |
| A spokeswoman said about 30,000 passengers were due to travel on 50 Eurostar services on Friday and they would be offered a full refund or exchange. | A spokeswoman said about 30,000 passengers were due to travel on 50 Eurostar services on Friday and they would be offered a full refund or exchange. |
| "We checked the website around 9pm," said finance manager Kirsty McIntyre, who had planned to spend the weekend in the Champagne region. | "We checked the website around 9pm," said finance manager Kirsty McIntyre, who had planned to spend the weekend in the Champagne region. |
| "It just said delays are expected but it didn't say anything about cancelled services, so we came today and it's not happening. We are going to see if we can get a bus to Dover and a ferry to Calais." | "It just said delays are expected but it didn't say anything about cancelled services, so we came today and it's not happening. We are going to see if we can get a bus to Dover and a ferry to Calais." |
| Others who had planned to take the Eurostar on Thursday and were unable to get hotel accommodation were forced to sleep in the station. | Others who had planned to take the Eurostar on Thursday and were unable to get hotel accommodation were forced to sleep in the station. |
| See graphic of Channel Tunnel | See graphic of Channel Tunnel |
| Groom among stranded passengersGuide to Channel Tunnel | Groom among stranded passengersGuide to Channel Tunnel |
| The tunnel carries Eurostar express trains between London, Paris and Brussels, as well as freight and passenger shuttles between Folkestone and Calais. | The tunnel carries Eurostar express trains between London, Paris and Brussels, as well as freight and passenger shuttles between Folkestone and Calais. |
| The source of the blaze has not yet been identified but French officials confirmed a UK-bound lorry, which is understood to have overturned on the shuttle train, was carrying the chemical phenol, a toxic product used by the pharmaceutical industry. | |
| Eurotunnel chairman Jacque Gounon told French radio some traffic could resume on Friday. | Eurotunnel chairman Jacque Gounon told French radio some traffic could resume on Friday. |
| "I think, without making any promise, that the service could get back to half capacity during the day," he said. | "I think, without making any promise, that the service could get back to half capacity during the day," he said. |
| He added that the northbound tunnel, where the fire took place, would be closed for several weeks. | He added that the northbound tunnel, where the fire took place, would be closed for several weeks. |
| The BBC's Europe editor, Mark Mardell, said Mr Gounon would not speculate on the cause of the fire, saying only that nothing had been ruled out or in. | |
| He added an investigation could only begin once the affected area had cooled down enough to enable the removal of the train. | |
| 'Something accidental' | 'Something accidental' |
| The blaze broke out yesterday just before 1500 BST on a train carrying lorries from Folkestone to Calais. | The blaze broke out yesterday just before 1500 BST on a train carrying lorries from Folkestone to Calais. |
| Thirty-two people, including seven Britons, were evacuated to the service tunnel and a train ferried them back to France. More than 300 French and British firefighters tackled the blaze overnight. | Thirty-two people, including seven Britons, were evacuated to the service tunnel and a train ferried them back to France. More than 300 French and British firefighters tackled the blaze overnight. |
| Kent Fire and Rescue Service said 14 appliances and about 60 firefighters were still at the scene. | |
| Emergency services from East and West Sussex, London and Essex were also providing support. | Emergency services from East and West Sussex, London and Essex were also providing support. |
| Chief Fire Officer Bill Feeley, of Kent Fire and Rescue Service, said a large crew was needed because of the difficult and tiring conditions and would remain in place until the emergency services were satisfied the fire was completely extinguished. | |
| Sections of the M20 remain closed | Sections of the M20 remain closed |
| France's transport minister Dominique Bussereau told French radio station Europe-1 the cause appeared to be "something accidental". | France's transport minister Dominique Bussereau told French radio station Europe-1 the cause appeared to be "something accidental". |
| The closure has caused huge tailbacks on roads near the Eurotunnel terminal at Folkestone as dozens of lorries have been forced to park on the M20 and other surrounding roads. | The closure has caused huge tailbacks on roads near the Eurotunnel terminal at Folkestone as dozens of lorries have been forced to park on the M20 and other surrounding roads. |
| Kent Police say sections of the motorway - between junctions eight and nine - are still being used to queue lorries as part of Operation Stack and are advising motorists to avoid the area. | Kent Police say sections of the motorway - between junctions eight and nine - are still being used to queue lorries as part of Operation Stack and are advising motorists to avoid the area. |
| Superintendent Peter Wedlake said: "We anticipate there will be some congestion. | Superintendent Peter Wedlake said: "We anticipate there will be some congestion. |
| "People heading coastbound from Maidstone down towards Folkestone and Dover won't be able to use the M20." | "People heading coastbound from Maidstone down towards Folkestone and Dover won't be able to use the M20." |
| The Channel Tunnel has suffered several incidents since it opened to traffic in 1994 although only one - a fire in 1996 - caused serious injuries. | The Channel Tunnel has suffered several incidents since it opened to traffic in 1994 although only one - a fire in 1996 - caused serious injuries. |
| In August 2006, 34 people had to be led to safety after a fire broke out on a lorry being carried on a freight train. | In August 2006, 34 people had to be led to safety after a fire broke out on a lorry being carried on a freight train. |
| The fire caused £200m worth of damage and burned for more than five hours, wrecking the concrete lining and facilities over about half a mile of tunnel. | The fire caused £200m worth of damage and burned for more than five hours, wrecking the concrete lining and facilities over about half a mile of tunnel. |
| Security exercises are staged in the Channel Tunnel by police, fire and ambulance services from both England and France to ensure preparedness for such incidents. | Security exercises are staged in the Channel Tunnel by police, fire and ambulance services from both England and France to ensure preparedness for such incidents. |
| Return to top | Return to top |
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