Eurostar halts services due to WWII bomb discovery near Paris

On March 7, 2025, Eurostar services between London and Paris were completely suspended due to the discovery of an unexploded World War II bomb during track work in St Denis, north of Paris. This incident resulted in the cancellation of all Eurostar trains, stranding approximately 25,000 passengers. It occurred on a busy Friday, exacerbating the disruption as it was a prime day for leisure travelers heading for weekend trips to Paris. After the bomb was discovered around 4 a.m., mine clearance operations were conducted by the French police to ensure safety, preventing trains from departing or arriving at the Gare du Nord station in Paris. The closure affected thousands, with many passengers left searching for alternative methods of travel as local and international train services were heavily disrupted. Train operators and transport services were alerted of the situation, as the bomb's impact extended beyond Eurostar to include disruptions in the Paris metro system. To accommodate affected travelers, Eurostar offered options for refunds or rebooking on different travel dates. As the day progressed, a spokesperson for Eurostar emphasized that services could only resume once clearance operations were satisfactorily completed. In the aftermath, it was confirmed that the bomb was defused by French authorities around midday, allowing for trains to potentially resume service the following day. Eurostar communication indicated that delays were expected, and passengers were encouraged to stay informed through official channels for updates. The incident underscores the ongoing presence of unexploded ordnance inherited from previous conflicts in France, a country where such discoveries are not uncommon, especially in urban areas where development and construction may disturb historical sites. In addition to Eurostar, passengers were severely impacted in their attempts to travel as alternative options, including flights and ferry crossings, were rapidly filling up. Flights from regional UK cities to Paris were fully booked, with limited space available on alternative ferry services. The transport minister of France stated on the day of the incident that residents should remain calm and assured them of the safety measures in place for dealing with such bombs. Friday’s activities at Gare du Nord were heavily curtailed, with authorities advising travelers to avoid the area until safety was confirmed and operations resumed.