MEPs Delayed in Strasbourg Due to TGV Breakdown
- A special TGV train carrying European parliamentarians broke down in Strasbourg, France, on October 10, 2024.
- An explosion in the locomotive caused a large cloud of smoke, but all 740 passengers were evacuated safely.
- The incident resulted in a four-hour delay, emphasizing the need for reliable transportation for parliamentary duties.
On Thursday, October 10, 2024, a special high-speed train (TGV) carrying European parliamentarians experienced a breakdown in Strasbourg, France, leading to significant delays. The train, which was scheduled to depart at 2:57 PM, encountered a mechanical failure shortly before its departure, resulting in an explosion in the locomotive that produced a large cloud of smoke. Fortunately, all 740 passengers, including staff of the European Parliament, were unharmed and were evacuated to the station hall while emergency services responded to the incident. The breakdown left passengers stranded for over four hours, with the train finally departing around 7:15 PM. This incident caused considerable disruption for the parliamentarians returning to Brussels after a plenary session. The firefighters confirmed that the passengers were safe, but the delay highlighted the challenges faced by the European Parliament in maintaining reliable transportation for its members. This event follows a previous incident in October 2023, where a switching error caused a TGV carrying European parliamentarians to be diverted to Disneyland, resulting in a 45-minute delay. Such occurrences raise concerns about the reliability of train services used by officials and the potential impact on parliamentary schedules. In conclusion, while the passengers were unharmed, the breakdown of the TGV underscores the importance of ensuring safe and efficient transportation for European parliamentarians, as delays can disrupt legislative processes and commitments.