Passengers aboard a Eurostar train from Paris to Amsterdam were left stranded for over eight hours without power or air conditioning after a technical fault caused by an ongoing heatwave, with some describing the experience as 'hell'.
Technical Fault Halts Train in Sweltering Heat
The train departed from Gare du Nord in Paris but came to a stop near Fresnoy-le-Luat (Oise) shortly after 7:30 PM on Wednesday. The driver reported a technical fault triggered by the extreme temperatures, leaving the train immobilized. Passengers were forced to wait either onboard or alongside the tracks as the issue persisted.
Passengers Vent Frustration on Social Media
The delay stretched beyond eight hours, prompting frustrated travelers to take to social media. One passenger posted on X: "Eurostar, our train from Paris to Brussels is stopped on the tracks, what the hell is going on?" Eurostar responded, stating: "A technical incident caused by exceptional heatwave conditions has occurred on board the train." Another passenger described the ordeal as "hell," noting that police, firefighters, and civil protection crews attended the scene, assisting elderly passengers and distributing water.
Replacement Service Arrives After Midnight
A replacement service finally arrived at 12:30 AM the following morning, allowing passengers to resume their journey to Brussels. The train had originally been scheduled to arrive in the Belgian capital at 7:47 PM on Wednesday. Remaining passengers continued to Amsterdam by bus or taxi.
Eurostar's Apology and Commitment to Improvement
Amar Chaabi, Eurostar's Chief Operating Officer, said: "We fully understand what our passengers experienced last night and offer them our sincerest apologies. The safety of our customers guided every decision taken throughout this incident. I would like to commend the exemplary efforts of our teams, SNCF Réseau, Infrabel, and the emergency services in assisting passengers to their destinations. We will analyse this incident in detail to learn all the lessons and continue to improve our customer service."
