Eurostar Cancels All London–Europe Trains After Power Failure in Channel Tunnel

All Eurostar services between London and mainland Europe have been cancelled until further notice following a major power failure affecting cross-Channel rail links, British media reported on Tuesday.

The operator announced the suspension of all departures from St Pancras International, citing a fault in the overhead power supply system inside the Channel Tunnel, as well as a technical issue involving a Le Shuttle train.

Large crowds of stranded passengers were reported at major transport hubs, including St Pancras in London, Brussels Midi, and Gare du Nord, as travel disruption spread rapidly across the UK and northern Europe.

Severe traffic congestion also built up in Folkestone, in the county of Kent, where motorists attempting to cross the Channel were warned to expect delays lasting several hours. Drivers heading toward Calais were similarly advised of extended waiting times.

Le Shuttle, which operates vehicle-carrying trains through the Channel Tunnel, confirmed delays at both terminals, reporting wait times of approximately three and a half hours on the UK side and around two hours on the French side.

Eurostar said affected passengers would be allowed to rebook their journeys free of charge, cancel their tickets for a full refund, or receive an electronic travel voucher. In a statement, the company strongly advised travelers to postpone their trips until services are restored.

One passenger whose train was forced to return to St Pancras told the Daily Telegraph that the train stopped suddenly just outside the tunnel entrance due to a power outage. “Most people were trying to rebook their journeys, and the situation became extremely chaotic,” the passenger said.

The traveler added that alternative options by train, ferry, or air proved difficult, with ferry routes from Portsmouth, Newhaven, and Dover either unavailable or fully booked, and flights from Bristol sold out. “We barely managed to secure a flight from Luton,” the passenger said.

The disruption highlights the vulnerability of cross-Channel transport infrastructure, particularly during peak travel periods, with thousands of passengers left scrambling for alternative routes.