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Calais migrant crisis: Trespassers cause Eurostar delays Calais migrant crisis: Trespassers cause Eurostar delays
(33 minutes later)
Trespassers on rail tracks near the Channel Tunnel in northern France caused major disruption for hundreds of Eurostar passengers. Disruption to some Eurostar services is continuing after trespassers on rail tracks near the Channel Tunnel in France caused major delays overnight.
Two services had to turn back overnight - one to London and one to Paris - and six trains were stopped as tracks were blocked for more than four hours. Police were called on Tuesday night to SNCF tracks 2km from the tunnel, amid reports of migrants climbing on trains.
Police were called to SNCF tracks about 2km away from the tunnel, amid reports of migrants climbing on trains. Two services had to turn back because rail tracks were blocked for more than four hours, while two more Eurostar trains were cancelled on Wednesday.
Eurotunnel said extra tunnel security had led to migrants moving elsewhere. Other trains are expected to run normally, Eurostar said.
A spokesman said the tracks - used by Eurostar and national network freight trains - were blocked between 21:45 and 02:23 local time. Passengers stranded
Another London-bound Eurostar train had a technical fault on Tuesday night and could not get back to Paris, leaving passengers stranded. Eurotunnel, which manages and operates the Channel Tunnel, said the tracks - used by Eurostar and national network freight trains - were blocked between 21:45 and 02:23 local time.
The latest delays affected Eurostar services but freight and shuttle services were unaffected, Eurotunnel, which manages and operates the Channel Tunnel, said. The overnight delays affected Eurostar but freight and shuttle services were unaffected, Eurotunnel said.
Another London-bound Eurostar train also had a technical fault and could not get back to Paris, leaving passengers stranded.
Cross-Channel services have been delayed several times in recent months by migrants trying to reach the UK.Cross-Channel services have been delayed several times in recent months by migrants trying to reach the UK.
'Abandoned in cold''Abandoned in cold'
Some travellers said they had seen migrants on top of other trains, and many complained of their frustrations at the delays and re-routing overnight.Some travellers said they had seen migrants on top of other trains, and many complained of their frustrations at the delays and re-routing overnight.
Passenger Danny Bell, on a train from Paris to London, tweeted: "We've been abandoned on a platform somewhere in the cold with NO INFORMATION."Passenger Danny Bell, on a train from Paris to London, tweeted: "We've been abandoned on a platform somewhere in the cold with NO INFORMATION."
Fellow traveller Simon Gentry added: "On a Eurostar apparently 'surrounded by migrants'. Been asked to 'listen out for people walking on the roof' while we wait for the police."Fellow traveller Simon Gentry added: "On a Eurostar apparently 'surrounded by migrants'. Been asked to 'listen out for people walking on the roof' while we wait for the police."
Eurostar, which said the delays had affected up to 2,000 passengers, referred only to the people on the tracks as trespassers, but a number of commuters said they saw or were told of migrants in the area.Eurostar, which said the delays had affected up to 2,000 passengers, referred only to the people on the tracks as trespassers, but a number of commuters said they saw or were told of migrants in the area.
'Robust' service'Robust' service
Eurotunnel said tracks had been "blocked by groups of migrants that French police were trying to deal with".Eurotunnel said tracks had been "blocked by groups of migrants that French police were trying to deal with".
Spokesman John Keefe said: "Due to increased security at the Channel Tunnel they [migrants] are now trying to get on the tracks which Eurostar and freight trains use."Spokesman John Keefe said: "Due to increased security at the Channel Tunnel they [migrants] are now trying to get on the tracks which Eurostar and freight trains use."
A spokesman for Eurostar said passengers hoping to travel later should expect a normal service but added that two trains had been cancelled "in order to ensure the service is as robust as possible". Eurostar said Wednesday's 07:55 from London to Paris and the 11:13 from Paris to London had been cancelled "in order to ensure the service is as robust as possible".
The crisis in Calais is part of a wider migrant surge into Europe from north Africa and the Middle East.The crisis in Calais is part of a wider migrant surge into Europe from north Africa and the Middle East.
Last month, Home Secretary Theresa May warned the ongoing migrant crisis could shift from Calais to other ports, saying she was "well aware of the possibility of displacement".Last month, Home Secretary Theresa May warned the ongoing migrant crisis could shift from Calais to other ports, saying she was "well aware of the possibility of displacement".
Are you in the area? Did you witness any incidents around the Eurotunnel terminals? Have your travel plans been affected? Email haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk with your stories.Are you in the area? Did you witness any incidents around the Eurotunnel terminals? Have your travel plans been affected? Email haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk with your stories.
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