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Eurostar has issued an urgent alert warning passengers not to travel today as its services continue to be hit by major delays and cancellations for a second consecutive day. Travellers are being advised to cancel or postpone journeys following the theft of 600 metres of copper cable near Lille, and the fatal incidents involving two people struck by trains on Monday.
The operator has labelled the situation as “severe disruption” and admitted it is dealing with “total chaos” at its stations, with London St Pancras International overwhelmed by long queues and stranded passengers.
Timeline of Disruption
- Monday, 24 June: Two people were hit by trains in separate incidents near Lille, causing hours-long delays and the cancellation of multiple Eurostar services.
- Tuesday, 25 June: Overnight cable theft near Lille has compounded the disruption, affecting power and signalling on key high-speed lines.
As a result, six services have already been cancelled today, and others are running with delays of 40 to 120 minutes. Trains to and from Paris, Brussels, and Amsterdam are affected, with some being rerouted via slower diversionary routes.
A Eurostar spokesperson said:
“Due to a cable theft near Lille Europe, our trains are likely to be subject to severe delays and last-minute cancellations. We advise you to cancel or postpone your trip.”
Stations Overwhelmed, Passengers Furious
St Pancras International and Gare du Nord have seen hundreds of passengers queuing with luggage, waiting for updates or alternative departures. Signs at the station warn of “very busy” conditions, and onboard air conditioning failures and lack of food and drink have worsened frustrations.
Eurostar Compensation Policy
If your Eurostar train is delayed by 60 minutes or more, you may be eligible for compensation:
- 60–119 mins:
- 30% e-voucher or 25% cash refund
- 120–179 mins:
- 60% e-voucher or 50% cash refund
- 180+ mins:
- 75% e-voucher or 50% cash refund
You must wait 24 hours to claim, and claims can be submitted within three months via Eurostar’s website.
Ongoing Safety and Service Measures
Eurostar says it is working closely with French authorities and infrastructure teams to manage the situation and restore services safely. Around 15 engineers have been dispatched to repair the affected lines.
“We’re very sorry for the continued disruption and the impact this is having on our customers,” the spokesperson added. “Safety remains our top priority.”
What Passengers Should Do
Check live service updates at eurostar.com
Postpone travel if possible
Request a refund or rebook for a later date
Allow extra time at the station
Retain all tickets and receipts for compensation claims
