Eurostar passengers have described their ordeal as "hell" after being stranded on a train for eight hours during a blistering heatwave, without electricity or air conditioning. The incident occurred on a service bound for Amsterdam on Wednesday, June 24, shortly after departing from Gare du Nord in Paris.
Technical Failure in Record Heat
A technical problem forced the driver to halt the train near Fresnoy-le-Luat in the Oise region just after 7:30 PM, according to Le Parisien. Passengers were left without power or cooling systems as temperatures soared to record levels, with some choosing to wait outside on the trackside.
One passenger took to social media platform X to vent: "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."
Passengers Describe 'Hellish' Conditions
Another traveler described the situation as "hell," noting that police, firefighters, and civil protection crews arrived to assist elderly passengers and distribute water. The train was delayed by more than eight hours, with the original arrival time in Brussels scheduled for 7:47 PM on Wednesday.
A rail replacement service finally arrived at 12:30 AM the following day, allowing passengers to continue their journey to Brussels. Those heading to Amsterdam were transported onward by bus or taxi.
Eurostar Apologises and Promises Review
Amar Chaabi, Eurostar’s chief operating officer, issued an apology: "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 analyze this incident in detail to learn all the lessons and continue to improve our customer service."
