Eurostar announced the suspension of all train services after a power failure occurred in the English Channel Tunnel, severely affecting public travel during the New Year holiday period.
On Tuesday, 30 Dec 2025 GMT+7, Eurostar announced the suspension of all train services across Europe following a power supply system failure inside the English Channel Tunnel. This caused confusion among travelers during the peak New Year holiday travel season, when passenger volume is highest.
Many passengers were forced to urgently seek alternative travel options after Eurostar announced the cancellation of all train departures between London, Paris, Amsterdam, and Brussels.
“There was a power supply issue in the English Channel Tunnel, causing one shuttle train to become stranded inside,” a Eurostar spokesperson said. “All travel to and from London will be suspended until further notice.”
Eurostar’s website stated that even continental routes not using the Channel Tunnel, such as between Paris and Brussels, were also canceled.
Eurostar’s announcement left many passengers with their luggage stranded at multiple stations including London’s St Pancras and Gare du Nord, with many travelers expressing frustration over the situation through the media.
“I’m very disappointed. We had planned to celebrate New Year's Eve in Paris,” Jessica, a 21-year-old business coordinator who planned to travel to France with three friends, told AFP in London. “We’re trying to find other tickets; if we can’t, we’ll have to stay in London.”
Jody (surname withheld), who booked accommodation via Airbnb in the French capital until 4 January for herself, her husband, and their 4-year-old daughter, said her train was canceled. “We couldn’t find any tickets for tomorrow. It ruined our holiday plans. We’re now looking for other routes.”
Getlink, the operator of the English Channel Tunnel, stated that train traffic would gradually resume by Tuesday afternoon. However, passengers remain uncertain about when or if they will be able to travel.
In 2024, Eurostar set a record with 19.5 million passengers, an increase of nearly 5% from 2023, boosted by tourist demand for the Olympic and Paralympic Games in Paris.
Eurostar has been the sole operator providing passenger service through the tunnel connecting England and France since its opening in 1994.
However, British businessman Richard Branson, founder of Virgin Airlines, has announced plans to launch a competing service, while Italy's Trenitalia has also expressed intent to compete with Eurostar on the Paris-London route by 2029.
Tuesday's disruption is the latest incident affecting Eurostar amid criticism over its high ticket prices, especially on the Paris-London route.
In August, a power failure caused major cancellations and delays for Eurostar, while in June, cable theft on railway tracks in northern France led to two days of continued disruption.
.cna