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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| Tunnel train services to resume | Tunnel train services to resume |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| 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 through the undamaged south tunnel. | |
| 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. |
| Eurotunnel said shuttle and Eurostar trains would both operate a limited service on Saturday. | |
| 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." |
| 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." |
| The tunnel was closed after fire broke out on a freight train about seven miles from Calais on Thursday. The 16-hour blaze was put out on Friday morning. | |
| Thirty-two people on board were led to safety when the fire broke out. Fourteen had suffered minor injuries, including smoke inhalation. | |
| 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. |
| Transport chaos | |
| 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. |
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| French firefighters working inside the Channel Tunnel | |
| 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. |
| Kent Police say that the arrangements are still in force, and that the M20 is still closed between junctions eight and nine. | |
| 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: |
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