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London Eurostar passengers asked to postpone trips after France arson attack | London Eurostar passengers asked to postpone trips after France arson attack |
(32 minutes later) | |
Most services leaving St Pancras on time but diversions are in place and several trains have been cancelled | Most services leaving St Pancras on time but diversions are in place and several trains have been cancelled |
Eurostar passengers travelling from London to Paris on Friday were asked to postpone trips if possible, with trains delayed and cancelled after arson attacks on high-speed rail lines hours before the start of the Olympics. | |
Most services were leaving St Pancras International station on time but journeys were expected to be prolonged by at least an hour in France. Two afternoon departures have been cancelled. | Most services were leaving St Pancras International station on time but journeys were expected to be prolonged by at least an hour in France. Two afternoon departures have been cancelled. |
The disruption, caused by what French authorities described as coordinated and malicious attacks on rail infrastructure between Paris and Lille, came hours before the Games’ opening ceremony, potentially stranding some passengers hoping to attend. | The disruption, caused by what French authorities described as coordinated and malicious attacks on rail infrastructure between Paris and Lille, came hours before the Games’ opening ceremony, potentially stranding some passengers hoping to attend. |
The cross-Channel operator said it would attempt to ensure passengers could reach their destinations, despite long diversions on to slower tracks. | |
Eurostar said in a statement: “Due to coordinated acts of malice in France, affecting the high-speed line between Paris and Lille, all high-speed trains going to and coming from Paris are being diverted via the classic line today Friday July 26. | |
“This extends the journey time by around an hour and a half. Several trains have been cancelled. Eurostar’s teams are fully mobilised in stations, in the call centres, and onboard to ensure that all passengers are informed and can reach their destination. We encourage our customers to postpone their trip if possible.” | “This extends the journey time by around an hour and a half. Several trains have been cancelled. Eurostar’s teams are fully mobilised in stations, in the call centres, and onboard to ensure that all passengers are informed and can reach their destination. We encourage our customers to postpone their trip if possible.” |
Passengers would be able to cancel or get a refund or change their journey free of charge, Eurostar said. | Passengers would be able to cancel or get a refund or change their journey free of charge, Eurostar said. |
The disruption has left some passengers anxious about their chances of making the opening ceremony. Hadassa Goncalves, 24, who was due to travel via London from São Paulo, Brazil, told the PA news agency that her train would now not reach Paris Gare du Nord until nearly 5pm, adding: “We want to see the opening ceremony. This is bad for us. We don’t have tickets but we want to see the fireworks.” | The disruption has left some passengers anxious about their chances of making the opening ceremony. Hadassa Goncalves, 24, who was due to travel via London from São Paulo, Brazil, told the PA news agency that her train would now not reach Paris Gare du Nord until nearly 5pm, adding: “We want to see the opening ceremony. This is bad for us. We don’t have tickets but we want to see the fireworks.” |
Another Eurostar passenger, Kate Fisher, 37, from Louisiana, US, who was travelling to Paris with five friends to watch the Games, told PA: “We knew this is absolutely the worst time to go to Paris because of the Olympics so we’re prepared for it to take longer. When I saw the delay on the departure board, I was like: ‘whatever, as long as we’re there.’” | |
Most of Team GB’s athletes due in Paris for the opening ceremony had already arrived by Eurostar. The British Olympic Association said that only two athletes were scheduled to travel on Friday and had arrived with only minor delays. | |
The French state-owned railway company SNCF has also advised passengers to postpone journeys where possible. | The French state-owned railway company SNCF has also advised passengers to postpone journeys where possible. |
Eurotunnel’s Le Shuttle service is unaffected. | Eurotunnel’s Le Shuttle service is unaffected. |