Paris, France – A disruptive finding took place near the busy Gare du Nord train station in Paris on Friday, as an unexploded bomb from World War II was discovered during maintenance work in the suburb of Saint Denis, approximately 2.5 kilometers away. The SNCF national rail company confirmed the presence of the bomb “near the tracks,” leading to the suspension of railway traffic in and out of the station. Transport Minister Philippe Tabarot later reported that the defusing operations were successfully completed, with the bomb containing 200 kilograms of explosives.
The Gare du Nord station, serving as the busiest train terminal in France and accommodating Eurostar trains, high-speed trains, and local trains, had all rail traffic suspended while local police disabled the explosive. As a result of the disruption, Eurostar trains to and from Paris were canceled, urging travelers to reschedule their journeys for a different date. Despite the halt in traffic to and from Gare du Nord, Eurostar services from London to Brussels and Amsterdam continued as usual.
With approximately 700,000 commuters passing through the Gare du Nord daily, the disruption caused by the unexploded bomb extended beyond railway travel. The bomb finding also resulted in the closure of sections of the A1 highway and parts of a major ring-road around Paris as authorities worked to safely disarm the WWII relic. Although discoveries of bombs from previous wars are not uncommon in France, they are typically found in less populated areas, making this incident near a heavily populated location particularly concerning.
The incident serves as a reminder of the enduring impact of WWII on present-day infrastructure and daily life, highlighting the importance of ongoing vigilance and maintenance to ensure safety for all residents and travelers in the region. As authorities continue to address the aftermath of the bomb discovery, efforts are being made to resume normal operations at the Gare du Nord station and surrounding areas to minimize further disruptions in rail and road travel.