Cross-Channel travel has been thrown into chaos after a major power supply problem brought Eurostar services to a standstill. The high-speed rail operator has warned passengers to expect severe disruption, with last-minute cancellations and lengthy delays affecting journeys between the UK and mainland Europe.
Power Fault Halts Channel Tunnel Traffic
The disruption, which began on Tuesday 30 December 2025, is directly attributed to a fault with the overhead power lines inside the Channel Tunnel. This critical infrastructure failure has forced Eurostar to issue a stark warning to all customers planning to travel.
In an official statement, the company strongly advised passengers to consider postponing their journey to another date if possible. "We regret that trains that can run are subject to severe delays and last-minute cancellations," a spokesperson said. The advice applies specifically to services running between London St Pancras International and Paris Nord.
Passengers Urged to Check Before Travel
With the situation developing throughout the day, Eurostar has urged travellers to stay informed. The company's live updates page is the primary source for the latest information on specific services.
"Please check for live updates on the status of your train on the Train status and timetables page," the operator instructed. This ongoing issue comes at a time when Eurostar's long-held monopoly on Channel Tunnel passenger services is under challenge, with Virgin recently announcing plans to launch rival routes.
Broader Impact on Travel Plans
The power supply failure has a cascading effect, disrupting the plans of thousands of passengers during the festive period. The scale of the delays means that even services that are not cancelled are expected to arrive significantly late, causing knock-on issues with connecting travel and accommodation.
Engineers are working to resolve the technical fault, but no estimated time for a full restoration of normal service has been provided. For now, the message from Eurostar remains clear: check carefully before you travel and be prepared for major disruption on this key international route.
