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| Eurostar services delayed after people are seen on the tracks in Channel Tunnel | |
| (about 2 hours later) | |
| Rail services between Britain and France were suspended overnight as trespassers on the tracks of the Channel Tunnel and reports of migrants on train roofs caused major disruption. | Rail services between Britain and France were suspended overnight as trespassers on the tracks of the Channel Tunnel and reports of migrants on train roofs caused major disruption. |
| Two Eurostar trains - one to London and one to Paris - were forced to turn back after those on board endured long delays at the French port, and a total of six services were stopped entirely while the tracks were cleared. | Two Eurostar trains - one to London and one to Paris - were forced to turn back after those on board endured long delays at the French port, and a total of six services were stopped entirely while the tracks were cleared. |
| One London-bound train was unable to get back to Paris due to a technical fault and some passengers, many of whom were given foil blankets to keep them warm after being stranded, complained they had been “abandoned” in the early hours of the morning as they waited for alternative transport. | One London-bound train was unable to get back to Paris due to a technical fault and some passengers, many of whom were given foil blankets to keep them warm after being stranded, complained they had been “abandoned” in the early hours of the morning as they waited for alternative transport. |
| Our trains are currently held whilst the authorities deal with trespassers. More updates to follow. | Our trains are currently held whilst the authorities deal with trespassers. More updates to follow. |
| Police had been called to Calais just before 9pm to reports of people on the tracks at the crossing, with hundreds of passengers stuck on carriages for hours while the trespassers were removed. | Police had been called to Calais just before 9pm to reports of people on the tracks at the crossing, with hundreds of passengers stuck on carriages for hours while the trespassers were removed. |
| Some travellers said they had seen migrants on top of other trains, and many complained of their frustrations at the delays and re-routes. | Some travellers said they had seen migrants on top of other trains, and many complained of their frustrations at the delays and re-routes. |
| One passenger on the 9055 train from Paris to London told of his anger on learning that he had to wait on alternative transport, having already been re-routed back to the French capital. | One passenger on the 9055 train from Paris to London told of his anger on learning that he had to wait on alternative transport, having already been re-routed back to the French capital. |
| Danny Bell tweeted: “We've been abandoned on a platform somewhere in the cold with NO INFORMATION.” | Danny Bell tweeted: “We've been abandoned on a platform somewhere in the cold with NO INFORMATION.” |
| Eurostar apologised saying: “It may be possible for another train to be sent to you. We appreciate it is very late now and everyone must be very tired.” | Eurostar apologised saying: “It may be possible for another train to be sent to you. We appreciate it is very late now and everyone must be very tired.” |
| @Eurostar @LucySpice well it hasn't gone back to Paris! We've been abandoned on a platform somewhere in the cold with NO INFORMATION | @Eurostar @LucySpice well it hasn't gone back to Paris! We've been abandoned on a platform somewhere in the cold with NO INFORMATION |
| While the operator referred only to the people on the tracks as trespassers, a number of passengers said they saw or were told of migrants in the area. Lucy Francis from London posted online: “the trespassers are on the roof of the train in front of us”. | While the operator referred only to the people on the tracks as trespassers, a number of passengers said they saw or were told of migrants in the area. Lucy Francis from London posted online: “the trespassers are on the roof of the train in front of us”. |
| @Eurostar the trespassers are on the roof of the train in front of us | @Eurostar the trespassers are on the roof of the train in front of us |
| Simon Gentry said: “On a Eurostar apparently 'surrounded by migrants'. Been asked to 'listen out for people walking on the roof' while we wait for the police.” | Simon Gentry said: “On a Eurostar apparently 'surrounded by migrants'. Been asked to 'listen out for people walking on the roof' while we wait for the police.” |
| Apparently the migrants managed to break the train trying to get on. We're not going anywhere ... #calaismigrants pic.twitter.com/OE46awPDF4 | Apparently the migrants managed to break the train trying to get on. We're not going anywhere ... #calaismigrants pic.twitter.com/OE46awPDF4 |
| Conor Maples wrote: “Our Eurostar has been stopped outside Calais. Train manager told us there are migrants on the roof. Police are now here. Very very sad”. | Conor Maples wrote: “Our Eurostar has been stopped outside Calais. Train manager told us there are migrants on the roof. Police are now here. Very very sad”. |
| Our @eurostar has been stopped outside Calais. Train manager told us there are migrants on the roof. Police are now here. Very very sad | Our @eurostar has been stopped outside Calais. Train manager told us there are migrants on the roof. Police are now here. Very very sad |
| A spokesman for Eurostar said passengers hoping to travel later this morning should expect a normal service but added that two trains have been cancelled “in order to ensure the service is as robust as possible”. | A spokesman for Eurostar said passengers hoping to travel later this morning should expect a normal service but added that two trains have been cancelled “in order to ensure the service is as robust as possible”. |
| A rescue train has left London to collect passengers in Calais, we should be with you by 8am (French time) to take you to London #ES9055 | A rescue train has left London to collect passengers in Calais, we should be with you by 8am (French time) to take you to London #ES9055 |
| Passengers due to travel on the 7.55am service from London to Paris and those who had booked the 11.13am Paris to London would be transferred to other services at times close to their intended departure, the spokesman said. | Passengers due to travel on the 7.55am service from London to Paris and those who had booked the 11.13am Paris to London would be transferred to other services at times close to their intended departure, the spokesman said. |
| Three trains, one from Brussels and two from Paris, were able to continue their journeys to London after the delays this morning. | Three trains, one from Brussels and two from Paris, were able to continue their journeys to London after the delays this morning. |
| But those already delayed described the breakdown of services - and the subsequent rescue operation - as a "fiasco". | But those already delayed described the breakdown of services - and the subsequent rescue operation - as a "fiasco". |
| The arrival of the #eurostar to collect us has now been pushed back to 8:30. This is becoming a fiasco. pic.twitter.com/N4R38M1wwM | The arrival of the #eurostar to collect us has now been pushed back to 8:30. This is becoming a fiasco. pic.twitter.com/N4R38M1wwM |
| Anyone affected by the disruption will be compensated, the spokesman said. | Anyone affected by the disruption will be compensated, the spokesman said. |
| He said: “For the passengers affected what we have in place is people waiting for them in stations. We can, if passengers wish, re-book them on the next available train to get to their destination.” | He said: “For the passengers affected what we have in place is people waiting for them in stations. We can, if passengers wish, re-book them on the next available train to get to their destination.” |
| He said taxis, hotels and refreshments would be provided. | He said taxis, hotels and refreshments would be provided. |
| The operator was inundated with passengers seeking information and venting their frustrations at the delays. | The operator was inundated with passengers seeking information and venting their frustrations at the delays. |
| One woman, named Joanne, complained about the temperature: “it's so cold on the train. Give us blankets!!!!” | One woman, named Joanne, complained about the temperature: “it's so cold on the train. Give us blankets!!!!” |
| @Eurostar it's so cold on the train. Give us blankets!!!! | @Eurostar it's so cold on the train. Give us blankets!!!! |
| The crossing at Calais has been plagued with problems all summer amid a growing migrant crisis. | The crossing at Calais has been plagued with problems all summer amid a growing migrant crisis. |
| Many migrants are stationed at a camp near the port and on several occasions have broken into the Tunnel and climbed aboard lorries or trains in an attempt to get to the UK. | Many migrants are stationed at a camp near the port and on several occasions have broken into the Tunnel and climbed aboard lorries or trains in an attempt to get to the UK. |
| At its peak the number of attempts to board lorries or trains was around 2,000 a night but that has since fallen. | At its peak the number of attempts to board lorries or trains was around 2,000 a night but that has since fallen. |
| 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. |
| Eurostar said it was sending an empty train to Calais from London in the “early morning” to pick up stranded passengers of the 9055 service. | Eurostar said it was sending an empty train to Calais from London in the “early morning” to pick up stranded passengers of the 9055 service. |
| Traveller Tom Mayes said he had so far endured a nine-hour delay and described the operator's apology as “not good enough”. | Traveller Tom Mayes said he had so far endured a nine-hour delay and described the operator's apology as “not good enough”. |
| He tweeted: “Hungry, tired and fed-up people here. Not good,” adding: “children out in the cold here. Disgusting.” | He tweeted: “Hungry, tired and fed-up people here. Not good,” adding: “children out in the cold here. Disgusting.” |
| Additional reporting by PA | Additional reporting by PA |