Widespread disruption to train services has been caused by the discovery of an unexploded World War Two bomb near Gare du Nord station in Paris, with all Eurostar trains between London and Paris suspended for the rest of the day.
The discovery of an unexploded World War Two bomb near Gare du Nord station in Paris has caused widespread disruption to rail services, with all Eurostar trains between London and Paris suspended for the rest of the day.
A WW2 bomb is a type of explosive device used during 'World War II'.
These bombs were typically made of metal and filled with high explosives, such as TNT or dynamite.
They were designed to cause maximum damage upon impact.
According to historical records, the Allies dropped over 3 million tons of bombs on Germany during the war, resulting in widespread destruction.
Today, many WW2 bombs remain unexploded and pose a threat to civilians.
In some areas, bomb disposal teams work to safely remove these hazardous relics.
Anna Griffiths, a personal shopper at Selfridges, was due to attend her first-ever event at Paris Fashion Week but found herself stranded when she arrived at St Pancras station. ‘The service before mine was cancelled about an hour before I needed to leave,’ she said. ‘I got in the Uber and got to the station, then saw news journalists outside with cameras. As I refreshed the page on my phone, all of it went red and said ‘cancelled for the whole day’.’
What We Know About the Unexploded WW2 Bomb
The bomb is estimated to weigh around 500 kg and was found near the tracks in Saint-Denis, about 2.5 km from Gare du Nord. Maintenance workers discovered the device during overnight works at around 03:30 GMT. The head of rail infrastructure management unit SNCF Reseau described the bomb’s size as ‘really quite exceptional.’
Passengers Stranded
Jess Sayer and her friends were celebrating Jess’ 40th birthday in Paris but found themselves stuck after their Eurostar train was cancelled. ‘We’re frantically on our phones trying to find out what to do,’ she said. ‘We tried to get a flight, but all the flights are booked up. We’re not sure if we’ll be able to get back home tomorrow or if we’ll have to stay in Paris for a few more days.’
Services Could Resume by Mid-Afternoon
French transport minister Philippe Tabarot told a news briefing that rail services at Gare du Nord could begin resuming from 15:00 GMT, with part of the service potentially restored from 16:00 CET (15:00 GMT). However, this is subject to police clearance and further updates will be provided as more information becomes available.
Compensation for Disrupted Passengers
Passengers who have had their journeys disrupted can claim a refund or exchange their ticket for a new one. Those who are stranded due to the cancellation may also be eligible for compensation, including food or accommodation costs. Claims must be made via Eurostar’s website within three months.
As the situation continues to unfold, passengers are being advised to check the latest updates and plan alternative journeys where possible.
