The discovery of a dormant bomb on a construction site halted train services, and evacuation measures were enacted in the surrounding area, leading to significant transport delays.
**Paris Train Services Poised to Resume Following Successful Bomb Defusal**
**Paris Train Services Poised to Resume Following Successful Bomb Defusal**
Train operations in Paris, including Eurostar services, are set to return to normal after the deactivation of a WWII bomb detected near Gare du Nord.
The Paris regional train service experienced cancellations after a 500kg unexploded World War II bomb was discovered near the Gare du Nord station. The incident resulted in the cancellation of all Eurostar trains for the day, as confirmed by French Transport Minister Philippe Tabarot. Normal train operations are expected to resume on Saturday, with local rail traffic planned to restart at 17:00 GMT following the defusal of the bomb.
The bomb was found approximately two meters deep at a construction site located about a mile north of Gare du Nord, where rail workers were engaged in building a new bridge. In light of the potential dangers, around 200 residents in Saint-Denis were evacuated, and a stretch of the suburb's main ring road was temporarily closed. Tabarot described the operation as “complex,” emphasizing that cancelling the Eurostar services was deemed essential to mitigate confusion for passengers affected by the uncertainties of travel.
Simon Lejeune, Eurostar's Chief Safety and Stations Officer, expressed his regret regarding the travel disruptions and promised that passengers could easily access alternative arrangements through their official channels. He noted that while Eurostar operations between Brussels and Marne-la-Vallée remained unaffected, various issues arose for travelers seeking passage between London and Paris.
Authorities reported that the bomb was located 200 meters from the heavily trafficked Paris périphérique and roughly 2.5 kilometers from Gare du Nord, noted for being Europe’s busiest station. The discovery resulted in traffic jams across 218 kilometers of roads in the Paris region, with nearby evacuation zones including schools and care facilities.
The railyards around Paris were regular targets during WWII, leading to the unearthed ordnance that disrupted contemporary travel. Passengers eager to successfully navigate the aftermath of the bomb discovery faced not only cancellations but also crowded conditions at major terminals. One traveler, Jess Sayer, shared her predicament of finding alternative travel as they were “completely stuck” in Paris, with multiple options proving unviable.
With Paris Fashion Week coinciding with the disruptions, personal shoppers and attendees such as Anna Griffiths found their plans thwarted while others adjusted their schedules in light of the situation. With a focus on safety, Eurostar is set to implement additional trains on Saturday to assist stranded travelers.
The bomb was found approximately two meters deep at a construction site located about a mile north of Gare du Nord, where rail workers were engaged in building a new bridge. In light of the potential dangers, around 200 residents in Saint-Denis were evacuated, and a stretch of the suburb's main ring road was temporarily closed. Tabarot described the operation as “complex,” emphasizing that cancelling the Eurostar services was deemed essential to mitigate confusion for passengers affected by the uncertainties of travel.
Simon Lejeune, Eurostar's Chief Safety and Stations Officer, expressed his regret regarding the travel disruptions and promised that passengers could easily access alternative arrangements through their official channels. He noted that while Eurostar operations between Brussels and Marne-la-Vallée remained unaffected, various issues arose for travelers seeking passage between London and Paris.
Authorities reported that the bomb was located 200 meters from the heavily trafficked Paris périphérique and roughly 2.5 kilometers from Gare du Nord, noted for being Europe’s busiest station. The discovery resulted in traffic jams across 218 kilometers of roads in the Paris region, with nearby evacuation zones including schools and care facilities.
The railyards around Paris were regular targets during WWII, leading to the unearthed ordnance that disrupted contemporary travel. Passengers eager to successfully navigate the aftermath of the bomb discovery faced not only cancellations but also crowded conditions at major terminals. One traveler, Jess Sayer, shared her predicament of finding alternative travel as they were “completely stuck” in Paris, with multiple options proving unviable.
With Paris Fashion Week coinciding with the disruptions, personal shoppers and attendees such as Anna Griffiths found their plans thwarted while others adjusted their schedules in light of the situation. With a focus on safety, Eurostar is set to implement additional trains on Saturday to assist stranded travelers.
