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| Version 3 | Version 4 |
|---|---|
| Eurostar 'ignored safety rules' | Eurostar 'ignored safety rules' |
| (30 minutes later) | |
| Eurotunnel has accused Eurostar of ignoring safety rules when evacuating passengers from trains last weekend. | Eurotunnel has accused Eurostar of ignoring safety rules when evacuating passengers from trains last weekend. |
| The Channel Tunnel operator said evacuations were prolonged because people took bags with them "in complete violation" of safety procedures. | The Channel Tunnel operator said evacuations were prolonged because people took bags with them "in complete violation" of safety procedures. |
| It also rejected claims it contributed to the chaos when 2,000 people were trapped in five broken down trains. | It also rejected claims it contributed to the chaos when 2,000 people were trapped in five broken down trains. |
| Eurostar told the BBC it did not want to comment on the claims while an independent review was under way. | Eurostar told the BBC it did not want to comment on the claims while an independent review was under way. |
| Spokeswoman Aude Criqui said: "We are committed to co-operating fully in the review and would not seek to pre-empt the conclusion." | Spokeswoman Aude Criqui said: "We are committed to co-operating fully in the review and would not seek to pre-empt the conclusion." |
| 'Movement of worry' | |
| In a bulletin issued to shareholders on Christmas Day, Eurotunnel said it had been "unfairly criticised for not having reacted correctly" after the breakdowns, which were caused by condensation entering the high-speed trains' electrical systems. | |
| It also criticised Eurostar's communication with travellers on board the stricken trains. | |
| We have been unjustly suspected in some quarters of not reacting in an appropriate way Eurotunnel statement | We have been unjustly suspected in some quarters of not reacting in an appropriate way Eurotunnel statement |
| Eurotunnel said: "Although in continued contact with our teams, it is clear the Eurostar teams obviously did not give the right information to passengers." | |
| This had "led to a movement of worry", which was made worse by Eurostar staff who, "in total disregard of safety procedures, told the passengers to bring their luggage with them". | |
| Eurotunnel also said it was "unacceptable" that several Eurostar staff from the evacuated trains had been "complaining that they needed to be relieved" from duty. | |
| The BBC's Greg Wood said the statement represented an unprecedented attack by Eurotunnel on its most prominent customer. | |
| Eurotunnel also criticised Kent Police, claiming officers had "conducted a series of incomprehensible and interminable checks and controls" during the crisis. | |
| In response, a spokesman for the force said: "We will discuss any specific concerns if raised through the appropriate channels." | |
| 'Unjustly suspected' | |
| Eurostar has admitted a communications failure, but last week also partly blamed Eurotunnel, which it said was responsible for evacuations and for relaying information to passengers in the tunnel. | Eurostar has admitted a communications failure, but last week also partly blamed Eurotunnel, which it said was responsible for evacuations and for relaying information to passengers in the tunnel. |
| But Eurotunnel said its staff had reacted quickly to help stranded passengers and had not failed to communicate with them. | But Eurotunnel said its staff had reacted quickly to help stranded passengers and had not failed to communicate with them. |
| Its statement said: "Although... our teams took actions in a rapid and professional manner going beyond their normal responsibilities, we have been unjustly suspected in some quarters of not reacting in an appropriate way." | Its statement said: "Although... our teams took actions in a rapid and professional manner going beyond their normal responsibilities, we have been unjustly suspected in some quarters of not reacting in an appropriate way." |
| Eurostar was criticised for its response to the travel problems at the time | |
| Some passengers spent hours trapped in the tunnel on the night of 18 December. | |
| Eurostar cancelled all services for three days to establish what went wrong and carry out safety tests. | Eurostar cancelled all services for three days to establish what went wrong and carry out safety tests. |
| The company says it will run a normal service on 26 December, with 40 trains on the regular routes linking London with Paris and Brussels. | The company says it will run a normal service on 26 December, with 40 trains on the regular routes linking London with Paris and Brussels. |
| As well as providing tunnel services, Eurotunnel also runs its own cross-Channel shuttle services for cars and freight carriers. | As well as providing tunnel services, Eurotunnel also runs its own cross-Channel shuttle services for cars and freight carriers. |