Eurostar train evacuated after passengers left stranded with 'no air or toilets'

Daily Mirror

13 hours ago

Passengers were left stranded on a Eurostar train for more than five hours, and have finally been evacuated out of the carriages.
People have blasted the service for a lack of communication, with passengers saying they have no idea when they'll be picked up. One passenger said the bathrooms were not working and there was no ventilation on the stranded train.
The train is believed to be stuck by Guines which is close to Calais. One passenger told of paramedics onboard, treating people who have become unwell.
The man told The Mirror: "We're stuck on Eurostar tracks near Guines... They said both of the engines are out of service and we need a new train to take us... There's no toilets. Zero communication from staff on board. None. The only info we get is from Twitter."
Members of Stornoway, a British indie folk band, are among stranded Eurostar passengers.
After people were allowed to leave their train, they took their guitars out and started singing, social media videos show.
After 6h on a broken-down Eurostar we cracked out the guitars to remind everybody #theOnlyWayIsUp pic.twitter.com/9Q0KmxB54W
Passengers have managed to get out of the train but there has been "no communication" so far from Eurostar, one has claimed.
Photos shared on social media show people lining by the side of the train while waiting for an update on the incident.
A person tweeted: "After 5 hours… people get out. Still no communication. No new train."
After 5 hours… people get out. Still no communication. No new train. pic.twitter.com/Tjfcr0xHOM
A traveller onboard the stuck train took to X to ask Eurostar what was happening as they said old and young people on the train appeared to not be doing well.
The worried passenger said: "What's the latest? I'm on the train. No air conditioning and Elderly and young children clearly struggling with no water.
This traveller also raged about the apparent lack of information and updates that were given to them, adding: "Communication from staff is poor and generally the whole situation is a shambles."
A passenger on board the stationary train near Calais has said that air conditioning isn't working
"The air conditioning has also been out for most of the time. Took them two hours to open doors," he told The Mirror.
"Trains routinely pass us, but nobody stops to help us."
Of a possible medical incident onboard he said: "Paramedics from Calais have been called twice now and are on the train. Unclear what happened, but two sets of paramedics from Calais have come onto the train."
A passenger has told The Mirror that there are people unwell on the stuck train which has two engines out of service.
He said: "We're stuck on Eurostar tracks near Guines. It's we've been here for about four hours now. They said both of the engines are out of service and we need a new train to take us.
"They've said it's coming at 130, but nothing. Conditions aren't great - paramedics are on board and triaging people. There's no toilets. Zero communication from staff on board. None. The only info we get is from Twitter."
A woman with children claims that she is stuck on a stationary Eurostar train in "inhumane conditions".
"I am on this train with two small children who are overheating! There are no toilets, there is no air, these are inhumane conditions. There is still no replacement!!!!," she wrote on X.
Eurostar replied: "Hi Valentina, we're sorry about the situation with your train today. Please remain seated and wait for instructions from the onboard team, as we are arranging a replacement train. Thank you for your understanding and patience."
And the woman told how people were feeling ill inside the carriage. She responded to Eurostar: "Do you have an updated timeline? We've been waiting without air and with overflowing toilets for 4 hours. People are feeling ill, nobody can give us an answer."
A further person also wrote on X: "And there is no information or instructions!"
A passenger has blasted Eurostar after saying she is stuck on a Eurostar train for nearly four hours without bathrooms working.
"We've been stuck with no electricity (air) and bathrooms aren't working. Close to 4hrs waiting and counting," wrote a traveller on X.
She is also travelling on a stationary train heading for London.
Eurostar replied to her: "Hi Alexandra, we're sorry about the situation with your train today. Please remain seated and wait for instructions from the onboard team, as we are arranging a replacement train. Thank you for your understanding and patience."
Passengers stuck on a Eurostar train heading to London for more than three hours have been told a replacement train is being sent.
One traveller received a message on X from the operator stating: "We're sending a replacement train to take you to London, which should arrive shortly. You'll need to leave the train. For your own safety, please remain seated for now and wait for instructions from our onboard team."
Eurostar passengers travelling recently were warned to cancel or postpone their trips as chaos erupted after two people were killed on the railway near Lille in France.
Those travelling between London St Pancras International and Gare Du Nord in Paris were delayed for seven hours in both directions on June 24, with some having their trains called altogether. The knock on effects of the delays was still affecting travellers the next day.
The French section also faced more disruption a day later after cables were stolen and cut overnight in what the French authorities are calling a "a malicious act".
Serge de Gheldere in London wrote on X: "Almost 3h. Still no news, no air. This is not just an incident or bad luck.
"@Eurostar is absolutely clueless and unprepared. There is no olan(sic). Instead of opening the doors and trusting the people, they only have one or two doors open and let people almost suffocate. There's asthma patients and infants on board."