Calais, France — Passengers on a stranded Eurostar train faced a lengthy ordeal after being stuck for nearly four hours without air conditioning in sweltering conditions. Emergency services arrived to provide relief, distributing bottled water to those on board as frustrations mounted due to the lack of timely updates from the rail operator.
Among the passengers, James Grierson recounted the chaotic experience, noting that many travelers were visibly upset as they were evacuated. “There was no sign of a replacement train,” he said. Eurostar initially advised passengers to stay put while awaiting assistance.
The train, which had departed Brussels at 08:52 local time, was scheduled to arrive at London St. Pancras International just over two hours later. However, what should have been a straightforward journey quickly turned into a lengthy detour, prolonging the travel time to more than five hours.
Grierson shared that the train encountered “some electrical failing” shortly before reaching Calais. Other individuals on board reported that both engines had seemingly malfunctioned, leaving them stranded. While Eurostar has yet to clarify the specific cause of the breakdown, passengers have taken to social media, voicing their dissatisfaction and seeking answers regarding the delays.
Lidia Aviles, a 38-year-old passenger from Brussels, highlighted the dire situation on the train. “Passengers were confined to their seats for hours because of safety concerns about standing near the tracks,” she said. As the hours wore on, essential facilities failed, causing additional distress among travelers, particularly families with young children and elderly individuals. “The toilets were not working, and this is terrible for everyone on board,” Aviles added.
Images captured at the scene depicted a growing crowd of frustrated passengers gathered outside the immobile train, attended by emergency personnel clad in high-visibility jackets. Some passengers reached out to Eurostar on social media, expressing their grievances over the lack of air conditioning and sanitation.
In response to the complaints, Eurostar acknowledged the situation, extending apologies and stating that arrangements were being made for a replacement train. Despite these assurances, many travelers remained anxious as they awaited additional updates and further assistance.
Train service disruptions are not uncommon, but this particular incident has raised concerns about communication and passenger support during emergencies. As Eurostar works to address the situation, travelers hope for a swift conclusion to their ordeal and better management of future contingencies.