EuroWire, BRUSSELS: Eurostar services have resumed in limited capacity after a major power supply fault forced the temporary closure of the Channel Tunnel on Tuesday, disrupting cross-border rail travel between the UK and continental Europe for several hours. The outage caused significant delays across Eurostar’s high-speed passenger routes linking London, Paris, Brussels, and Amsterdam, as well as the LeShuttle vehicle services that operate between Folkestone and Calais. Operations were halted for much of the day before partial service was restored in the evening following emergency maintenance work on affected electrical systems. Eurostar confirmed that while trains are running again, schedules remain heavily disrupted, and passengers are being advised to postpone non-essential travel.
The company said engineers were continuing to assess the impact of the power failure and that reduced capacity would persist until the system is fully stabilized. Travelers were informed of ongoing delays through station announcements and online updates. The disruption originated from a high-voltage power supply issue near the northern entrance of the Channel Tunnel, prompting an immediate suspension of both passenger and freight services. Eurotunnel, the infrastructure operator, said safety mechanisms were activated in accordance with operational protocols. Trains in transit were halted and redirected to stations on both sides of the Channel while technical inspections and repairs were conducted. LeShuttle, operated by Getlink, also experienced severe delays throughout the day. The company confirmed that services resumed late Tuesday evening but warned that journey times would remain extended as operations return to normal.
Power supply fault disrupts cross-channel rail operations
The vehicle transport service, which carries cars, buses, and freight trucks through the 50-kilometer undersea tunnel, saw its terminals experience high congestion during the outage. At London St. Pancras International, Paris Gare du Nord, and Brussels Midi stations, large numbers of passengers faced cancellations and lengthy waits. Staff distributed information on rebooking procedures and provided assistance to travelers seeking alternative arrangements. Many were accommodated on later trains as available capacity gradually increased through the evening. Eurotunnel’s engineering teams identified and isolated the fault within hours of the incident. Power was progressively restored following inspection of the affected sections of infrastructure. The company reported that all safety and communication systems remained fully functional during the disruption. No injuries or safety incidents were reported among passengers or staff.
The Channel Tunnel, a critical transport link between the UK and mainland Europe since its opening in 1994, handles millions of passengers and significant freight traffic each year. Its dual rail system supports both Eurostar’s passenger services and Getlink’s LeShuttle operations, playing a central role in trade and mobility between the two regions. The temporary shutdown on Tuesday marked one of the most extensive service interruptions in recent years for the cross-Channel corridor. Authorities confirmed that power systems at both British and French control centers were being monitored to ensure operational stability before a full service resumption. Maintenance crews continued technical evaluations late into the night to verify infrastructure integrity and prevent recurrence. Eurostar stated that customers with tickets for canceled or heavily delayed services may rebook travel at no additional cost or request a full refund.
Channel Tunnel outage marks major transport disruption
The company said it would continue communicating service updates directly to passengers through digital channels and station announcements as operations normalize. LeShuttle also confirmed it would honor rebooking and refund requests from affected travelers. The operator apologized for the disruption and reiterated its commitment to maintaining safety and reliability across all tunnel services as restoration work progresses. By Tuesday night, cross-Channel transport had largely resumed under limited schedules, with trains moving through the tunnel at reduced frequency. Operators emphasized that while most systems were back online, full restoration of regular service patterns would depend on completion of ongoing technical verifications. The Channel Tunnel remains one of Europe’s most vital transport arteries, facilitating both passenger travel and logistics between the UK and continental Europe. The restoration of service following Tuesday’s power fault marks a crucial step in resuming normal operations on one of the region’s busiest transport routes.