Travelers hoping to hop on the Eurostar in Paris are facing major disruptions today. An unexploded World War II bomb was discovered near the tracks of the Gare du Nord station, leading to the suspension of Eurostar services and other French train lines.
Bomb Discovery Causes Chaos
The device was found on the tracks in Saint Denis, near the busy Gare du Nord station, a major hub for both domestic and international train travel. French media outlets were quick to report on the incident, highlighting the potential for significant delays and cancellations.
Eurostar issued a statement on its website, acknowledging the "disruption to our services in and out of Paris this morning." They advised passengers to "please change your journey for a different date of travel."
"Eurostar cancelled all trains to and from Paris until 12:00 CET. Eurostar sincerely apologises for the disruption and understands the inconvenience this may cause." - Eurostar statement to The Guardian
Impact on Travel
The discovery of the bomb has had a ripple effect on travel plans. Regional train operator RER, which runs the RER B line, initially suggested that some train connections might resume from 10 am local time. However, they cautioned that "there is a good chance it will be pushed back," indicating that disruptions are likely to continue throughout the day. Passengers are urged to check live travel updates for Paris du Nord and Eurostar services for the latest information.
A Reminder of the Past
The incident serves as a stark reminder of the lasting impact of World War II. Unexploded ordnance continues to pose a threat in many parts of Europe, decades after the conflict ended. The authorities are working to safely remove the bomb and restore normal train services as quickly as possible.
While this unfortunate event has caused considerable travel chaos, it also highlights the importance of ongoing efforts to identify and neutralize these dangerous remnants of the past. Travelers are advised to remain patient and flexible as the situation unfolds.
