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| Tunnel train services to resume | Tunnel train services to resume |
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| The first train to run through the Channel Tunnel since its closure following a fire is scheduled to make a journey early on Saturday. | The first train to run through the Channel Tunnel since its closure following a fire is scheduled to make a journey early on Saturday. |
| The freight train is due to leave Dollands Moor marshalling yard near Folkestone, at 0008 BST. | The freight train is due to leave Dollands Moor marshalling yard near Folkestone, at 0008 BST. |
| Eurotunnel has said passenger services are expected to resume at about 0600 BST on Saturday. | Eurotunnel has said passenger services are expected to resume at about 0600 BST on Saturday. |
| Batches of four trains an hour will begin running in alternate directions between the UK and France. | |
| Eurotunnel also revealed it had run two test trains through the south tunnel from Calais to Folkestone on Friday and was due to run two more in the opposite direction. | Eurotunnel also revealed it had run two test trains through the south tunnel from Calais to Folkestone on Friday and was due to run two more in the opposite direction. |
| The tunnel was closed after fire broke out on a freight train about seven miles from Calais on Thursday. | |
| A spokesman said: "Once we're happy that it's completely safe we'll be making a decision about whether to resume commercial services. | A spokesman said: "Once we're happy that it's completely safe we'll be making a decision about whether to resume commercial services. |
| "We will start with freight and then we'll resume passenger trains after this." | "We will start with freight and then we'll resume passenger trains after this." |
| Thirty-two people on board were led to safety when the fire broke out. Fourteen had suffered minor injuries, including smoke inhalation. | Thirty-two people on board were led to safety when the fire broke out. Fourteen had suffered minor injuries, including smoke inhalation. |
| WHAT HAPPENED IN THE CHANNEL TUNNEL - 11 SEPTEMBER 2008 Fire started on lorry (1) just before 1500 BST on train from Folkestone to Calais. Lorry drivers heard series of explosions. They broke windows (2) to get out of amenity car. Altogether 32 people, including seven Britons, were evacuated into service tunnel (3). | WHAT HAPPENED IN THE CHANNEL TUNNEL - 11 SEPTEMBER 2008 Fire started on lorry (1) just before 1500 BST on train from Folkestone to Calais. Lorry drivers heard series of explosions. They broke windows (2) to get out of amenity car. Altogether 32 people, including seven Britons, were evacuated into service tunnel (3). |
| The 16-hour blaze was put out on Friday morning. | The 16-hour blaze was put out on Friday morning. |
| Speaking on French television, Eurotunnel chief executive Jacques Gounon said inspections of the tunnel were "now completed". | Speaking on French television, Eurotunnel chief executive Jacques Gounon said inspections of the tunnel were "now completed". |
| He said: "[Freight] traffic will resume tonight - that is certain. | He said: "[Freight] traffic will resume tonight - that is certain. |
| See layout of Channel Tunnel | See layout of Channel Tunnel |
| "Installations in the south tunnel, which was not touched by fire, are in excellent condition." | "Installations in the south tunnel, which was not touched by fire, are in excellent condition." |
| Mr Gounon had previously said the north tunnel, where the fire took place, would be closed for several weeks. | Mr Gounon had previously said the north tunnel, where the fire took place, would be closed for several weeks. |
| Focus turns to cause of fireGroom among stranded passengersGuide to Channel TunnelIn pictures: Channel Tunnel fire | Focus turns to cause of fireGroom among stranded passengersGuide to Channel TunnelIn pictures: Channel Tunnel fire |
| 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 say a lorry carrying chemicals, which is understood to have overturned on the freight train, was close to the seat of the fire. | The source of the blaze has not yet been identified but French officials say a lorry carrying chemicals, which is understood to have overturned on the freight train, was close to the seat of the fire. |
| It was carrying the chemical phenol, a toxic product used by the pharmaceutical industry. | It was carrying the chemical phenol, a toxic product used by the pharmaceutical industry. |
| The blaze broke out on Thursday just before 1500 BST on a train carrying lorries from Folkestone to Calais. | The blaze broke out on Thursday 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 to France. More than 300 French and British firefighters tackled the blaze overnight and some 27 vehicles were affected. | Thirty-two people, including seven Britons, were evacuated to the service tunnel and a train ferried them to France. More than 300 French and British firefighters tackled the blaze overnight and some 27 vehicles were affected. |
| Travellers on the disruption they have faced | Travellers on the disruption they have faced |
| Transport chaos | Transport chaos |
| The closure caused tailbacks on roads near the Eurotunnel terminal at Folkestone as dozens of lorries were forced to park on the M20 and other surrounding roads. | The closure caused tailbacks on roads near the Eurotunnel terminal at Folkestone as dozens of lorries were forced to park on the M20 and other surrounding roads. |
| 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. |
| Return to top | Return to top |
| Have you been affected by this incident? Were you due to travel through the Channel Tunnel today? Send us your comments and experiences using the form below: | Have you been affected by this incident? Were you due to travel through the Channel Tunnel today? Send us your comments and experiences using the form below: |
| You can send your pictures and videos to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to +44 7725 100 100. If you have a large file you can upload here.Read the terms and conditions | You can send your pictures and videos to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to +44 7725 100 100. If you have a large file you can upload here.Read the terms and conditions |
| At no time should you endanger yourself or others, take any unnecessary risks or infringe any laws. | At no time should you endanger yourself or others, take any unnecessary risks or infringe any laws. |