Thousands of Eurostar passengers are facing a chaotic start to the new year after a severe power failure in the Channel Tunnel caused massive disruption, stranding some travellers overnight on trains.
Power Failure Causes Widespread Cancellations
All London to Europe services were cancelled on Tuesday 30 December 2025 after a dual incident. An overhead power supply problem combined with a failed LeShuttle train blocked all routes through the vital cross-Channel link. This left thousands of passengers facing hours of delays at stations including London St Pancras International.
Services only partially resumed on Tuesday evening using a single available line. Eurostar later warned of "further issues with rail infrastructure overnight," exacerbating the problems for those hoping to travel.
Knock-On Delays Continue Into New Year's Eve
The disruption has continued into Wednesday 31 December. The first scheduled train of the day from London to Paris was cancelled, and the second service was delayed by nearly 30 minutes. While some later trains appear to be running to schedule, Eurostar has issued a fresh warning.
The operator stated that "due to knock-on impacts there may still be some delays and possible last-minute cancellations." Passengers are being urged to check their service status before travelling to stations.
Compensation Unlikely for Incurred Costs
Simon Calder, The Independent's Travel Correspondent, estimates that approximately 25,000 passengers have been affected by the ongoing chaos. He delivered a stark warning to those seeking reimbursement for their losses.
Calder indicated that airline-style compensation is highly unlikely to be offered by Eurostar for this incident. Furthermore, additional costs incurred by passengers, such as non-refundable hotel bookings or alternative transport fees, will similarly not be covered by the train operator.
The advice for travellers is to expect continued disruption, allow significant extra time for journeys, and be prepared for the possibility of further last-minute changes to services.
