Channel Tunnel power fault halts travel for thousands

Train services through the Channel Tunnel were suspended for much of Tuesday after a power supply failure, causing long delays and leaving thousands stranded during peak New Year holiday travel.

A fault in the overhead power supply brought cross-channel travel to a standstill, disrupting Eurostar and Le Shuttle services between Britain and continental Europe. The suspension hit London, Paris, Brussels and Amsterdam routes during one of the busiest weeks of the year, with stranded passengers crowding terminals and stations.

Eurostar said at 15:30 GMT that the 50 km rail tunnel had partially reopened and services were resuming gradually, though it warned the power issue remained unresolved. The operator urged passengers to postpone travel, citing heavy disruption and limited capacity. Getlink, responsible for the tunnel infrastructure and Le Shuttle, confirmed repair work was underway and traffic would return gradually, with additional services planned to reduce the growing backlog.

Several hundred travellers found themselves stuck in their vehicles at Folkestone, unable to move forward to France or return to Britain after completing passport checks. Diapers and baby food were distributed as delays stretched into hours. Among those waiting was Alison Raby, whose planned day trip to Belgium became impossible. Another passenger, Phil Groves, travelling to Paris for New Year’s Eve, described the queue as mammoth after more than six hours of waiting, noting that even as services restarted, many would not make the earliest trains.

At London St Pancras, passengers filled the concourse, some in tears and demanding information. One traveller was taken away by police after a heated exchange, shouting that he simply wanted to know whether he would see his family. The Port of Dover said it was operating a turn up and go system for those seeking alternatives, with ferry operators able to take extra travellers.

The Channel Tunnel is a key artery for European holiday movement. In 2024, Le Shuttle carried 2.2 million passenger vehicles and 1.2 million trucks, while Eurostar reported a record 19.5 million customers. Tuesday’s breakdown turned festive travel into chaos, with hopes pinned on repairs holding long enough to move waiting crowds before the new year.

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