Thousands Stranded on Channel Tunnel Trains
London-to-Paris trains halted in winter snafu.
PARIS, Dec. 21, 2009 — -- Eurostar rail services linking Britain and the rest of Europe through the Channel Tunnel are still suspended today for a third day in row, leaving thousands of passengers stranded on both sides of the English Channel.
Eurostar, owned by the French and Belgian state railway firms and the U.K., blamed severe weather conditions for the problem.
"Every year we carry out 'winterisation' program of the entire fleet, which to date has successfully protected our trains," Eurostar said last night in a statement. "We now know, however, that we need to further enhance the snow screens and snow shields in the power cars of the trains."
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With these modifications under way, Eurostar also announced it would conduct further series of tests today, before service can resume.
Today, French Transport Minister Dominique Bussereau called the situation "unacceptable" and promised a thorough investigation into the causes.
"We cannot imagine that this mode of transport, which is fundamental between France and England, between England and Belgium and the rest of continental Europe, doesn't work because it's snowing outside," Bussereau said on Europe 1 radio, speaking from Beijing where he is on an official visit.
"Therefore, the government is asking, number one, for explanations. No. 2, we are going to do our own probe. No. 3, we demand that measures be taken so this does not happen in the future," he said.
Meanwhile, the board of directors of Eurostar announced this morning that it had commissioned an immediate "independent review" into the problems it has experienced over recent days.
On Friday night, more than 2,000 Eurostar passengers in several trains were trapped inside the tunnel, their trains unable to get traction on the frozen rails.
Some passengers were evacuated and brought to the surface using trains from Eurotunnel, operator of the Channel tunnel. These trains are prepared and maintained so that they are not affected by rapid temperature changes.
