Eurostar Delays: French Rail Issues Cause Cancellations

Thousands of travelers were left waiting at stations on Monday as Eurostar trains between London and Paris came to a halt. A sudden power supply fault on the French high‑speed line forced nine services to be cancelled and caused hours‑long delays for many others. The issue began early in the morning near Moussy in northern France and rippled across one of Europe’s busiest travel routes. For families heading out for summer holidays and commuters returning to work, the timing could not have been worse. Explore what caused the disruption, how it affected passengers, and what steps are being taken to get journeys back on track.

What Happened? Overview of the Disruption

The issue began at around 08:30 local time (06:30 GMT) on August 4 near Moussy, on the line toward Longueil. SNCF called it a serious power supply fault, requiring major repairs and closure of the high-speed track in both directions.

Eurostar confirmed nine London–Paris trains were cancelled. Another roughly 15 were delayed or rerouted. Services between Brussels, Paris, and Amsterdam, Paris also saw cancellations and delays, while trains between London, Amsterdam, Brussels-London, and Brussels-Cologne remained unaffected.

By evening, SNCF reopened one track for both directions around 16:00 GMT, but full service wasn’t expected until Tuesday morning.

Root Cause: French Rail Infrastructure Fault

SNCF reported that a malfunction in the overhead power lines caused major disruptions, impacting Eurostar, TGV inOui, and Ouigo trains, with delays or cancellations lasting one to five hours.

The problem hit just as demand peaked in early August, with school holidays in full swing across Europe. That timing intensified station crowds and limited alternatives for affected travelers.

This isn’t the first major disruption this summer. In June, 600 metres of cable were stolen near Lille, triggering more cancellations and delays across high-speed routes.

Passenger Impact

The disruption left thousands stranded at busy hubs like London St Pancras and Paris Gare du Nord. Many families and holidaymakers scrambled to make alternate plans.

Some passengers dealt with multi-hour waits and missed connections. The uncertainty and lack of real-time updates added to their stress. Posts on social media described overcrowding and frustration.

Eurostar’s Response and Mitigation

Eurostar quickly advised travellers to postpone journeys if possible, offering free ticket exchanges or full refunds. A spokesperson highlighted the extent of cancellations and delays and urged affected passengers to reschedule.

They also assured customers that recovery teams were working to resume normal schedules. The company reinstated a limited service on one track by evening and promised full operations by Tuesday morning.

Broader Context: Reliability of Cross-Border Rail Travel

Services on France’s high-speed lines have been hit several times this year, from cable theft to fatal incidents and now power outage disruptions. These underline systemic vulnerabilities in infrastructure and security.

Even with these disruptions, Eurostar transported 19.5 million passengers in 2024 and plans to increase that number twofold by 2030. High punctuality (usually above 90 %) and eco‑friendly travel give it an edge, unless reliability erodes trust.

What’s Next?

SNCF expects full repair of the faulty section by Tuesday morning. Eurostar is adjusting its timetables and offering flexible options to accommodate passengers affected by delays.

Looking ahead, calls are rising for infrastructure upgrades and better cross-border incident coordination. We recommend passengers monitor real‑time updates, book refundable fares, and stay informed before travelling.

Conclusion

The August 4, 2025, Eurostar delays, triggered by a power failure on the French rail network, exposed how vulnerable high‑speed cross‑border travel can be during peak season. With 17 cancelled services and hours‑long delays, the impact was felt across major routes. While Eurostar and SNCF acted quickly to restore service and support customers, the incident highlights ongoing infrastructure challenges. Reliable and integrated rail networks remain essential for travellers, and investing in resilience is key.

Disclaimer:

This content is for informational purposes only and not financial advice. Always conduct your research.