Eurostar back on track, delays still under the Channel

On December 30, 2025, Eurostar traffic was severely disrupted due to a double technical incident in the Channel Tunnel. This resulted in significant delays and train cancellations, affecting thousands of passengers in the middle of the festive season.

Passengers faced prolonged waits and difficult travel conditions, particularly due to the lack of clear information and saturated stations. The event highlighted the challenges associated with the maintenance and resilience of cross-Channel rail infrastructure.

Passengers were faced with prolonged waits and difficult travel conditions, notably due to a lack of clear information and saturated stations

Power supply problem in the Channel Tunnel

On December 30, 2025, a power supply problem was detected in the Channel Tunnel, leading to the suspension of all Eurostar services linking London, Paris, Amsterdam and Brussels. This incident was compounded by the stoppage of a Le Shuttle shuttle, further disrupting cross-Channel rail traffic.

Eurostar advised passengers to postpone their journeys and warned that long delays and last-minute cancellations were to be expected. Passengers were advised to follow real-time information carefully and not to go to stations without confirming their train.

Eurostar has advised passengers to postpone their journeys and warned that major delays and last-minute cancellations are expected

The company also offered affected customers the opportunity to exchange their ticket free of charge or cancel their booking for a refund or voucher, emphasizing the scale of the disruption caused by this major technical incident.

Massive train delays and cancellations

Following the incident on December 30, many Eurostar trains were cancelled or suffered significant delays. Paris Gare du Nord and London St Pancras International stations were particularly hard hit, with crowds of passengers seeking information and alternative solutions.

Passengers expressed frustration at the lack of clear information and the difficulty of finding alternative solutions. Some were forced to alter their travel plans or seek temporary accommodation until traffic resumed.

Travelers were forced to seek alternative solutions

Eurostar has worked closely with the relevant authorities to restore service as quickly as possible, while ensuring the safety and comfort of passengers affected by these disruptions.

Progressive resumption of traffic and return to normal

On December 31, 2025, Channel Tunnel operator Getlink announced that the power supply problem had been resolved and traffic had resumed in both directions. Eurostar said all its services would run that day, although last-minute delays and cancellations could still occur due to the impact of the incident.

Passengers were asked to check the condition of their train before going to the station and to stay informed of any timetable changes. Eurostar has also reinforced its assistance teams to help travelers facing inconveniences related to this incident.

Despite these efforts, some passengers have reported persistent delays and less optimal travel conditions, particularly due to the heavy crowds associated with the New Year festivities.

Impact on travelers and assistance measures

The disruptions on December 30 had a significant impact on travelers, with delays of up to 12 hours for some trains departing from London. Passengers were forced to spend the night on board trains or in stations, without electricity or adequate catering services.

Eurostar has put in place support measures for affected passengers, including refund options, ticket exchanges and regular information on traffic conditions. The company has also stepped up its communications to keep travelers informed of developments.

Despite these efforts, the situation has highlighted the need to improve rail infrastructure resilience and crisis management to minimize the impact on passengers in the event of major technical incidents.

Passenger reactions and crisis management

Passengers expressed their dissatisfaction with Eurostar’s management of the crisis, highlighting the lack of clear communication and the difficulty of obtaining accurate information about the status of their journey. Some criticized the company’s responsiveness and the quality of assistance provided in the event of a major disruption.

Eurostar acknowledged the challenges encountered during this incident and assured that it would draw the necessary lessons to improve its crisis management procedures and communication with passengers. The company also announced initiatives to strengthen staff training and improve responsiveness to technical incidents.

The relevant authorities have also been asked to assess the root causes of the incident and put in place preventive measures to avoid the recurrence of such events in the future.

Lessons learned and prospects for improvement

The incident on December 30, 2025 highlighted several weak points in the management of cross-Channel rail infrastructure, particularly in terms of preventive maintenance, crisis communication and the resilience of electrical systems. Eurostar has announced an action plan to reinforce the reliability of its services and improve the customer experience.

Investments in infrastructure upgrades and more efficient communication systems are envisaged to prevent future disruptions. The company also emphasized the importance of collaboration with authorities and partners to ensure a coordinated and effective response in the event of a major incident.

Passengers have been asked to remain patient and informed of traffic developments, while benefiting from the assistance measures put in place by Eurostar to mitigate the inconvenience caused by this incident.

The disruption on December 30, 2025 highlighted the challenges facing cross-Channel rail infrastructure in terms of maintenance and crisis management. Eurostar has taken steps to restore service and assist affected passengers, while recognizing the need to improve the resilience of its operations.

The lessons learned from this incident should lead to significant improvements in infrastructure and service management, to ensure a more reliable and enjoyable travel experience for passengers in the future.