Eurostar chaos as floods disrupt travel plans for thousands

Eurostar issued a warning to passengers traveling from London on Sunday following the cancellation of all Saturday trains due to severe flooding.

The disruption left over 30,000 people impacted by last-minute cancellations, sparking chaos for holiday travelers.

The first Eurostar train departed from London St Pancras International shortly after 8:00 am (0800 GMT) on Sunday.

Engineers successfully controlled the water in two tunnels in Kent, southern England, making at least one tunnel usable. However, the company cautioned travelers about potential delays and busy stations due to speed restrictions in the morning.

Eurostar, known for its services connecting London to Paris, Brussels, and Amsterdam, assured passengers that all scheduled trains would run on Sunday.

Despite this, many travelers found themselves stranded in mainland Europe, while those at St Pancras scrambled to secure hotel rooms or make alternative travel arrangements.

Frustration among affected passengers was palpable, with some tourists expressing that their New Year holiday plans had been “ruined.”

The unexpected cancellations disrupted the travel plans of thousands during a crucial time of the year.

HS1, responsible for the route between London and the Channel Tunnel, acknowledged the inconvenience caused to passengers and apologized, assuring that the HS1 line would be operational in the morning.

The company, however, did not disclose the initial cause of the flooding that began on Friday night, blocking the high-speed rail line near Ebbsfleet International in Kent.

A spokesman for HS1 mentioned that an investigation would be conducted to determine the cause of the flooding. Notably, there was no evidence to support earlier suggestions that a burst pipe feeding the tunnel’s fire safety system was responsible for the flooding. Previous footage from the tunnel showed water gushing from a pipe, submerging the tracks.

As passengers await further information and clarity on the situation, Eurostar and HS1 face scrutiny over the disruptions and the impact on holiday travel during this crucial time of the year.