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Eurostar passengers left stranded Eurostar passengers left stranded
(30 minutes later)
Some 740 passengers are stuck on a Eurostar train in Kent after it experienced "technical problems".Some 740 passengers are stuck on a Eurostar train in Kent after it experienced "technical problems".
Eurostar said the Paris to London train was stuck south of Ashford but a rescue train would take passengers to London.Eurostar said the Paris to London train was stuck south of Ashford but a rescue train would take passengers to London.
The train was due to leave Gare du Nord at 2043 GMT and arrive in St Pancras at 2159 GMT but was delayed after an unattended bag caused a security alert.The train was due to leave Gare du Nord at 2043 GMT and arrive in St Pancras at 2159 GMT but was delayed after an unattended bag caused a security alert.
Passenger Alistair Neale said lights in the carriages had failed but the rescue train had arrived at the scene.Passenger Alistair Neale said lights in the carriages had failed but the rescue train had arrived at the scene.
Eurostar would not confirm whether the lights had failed or reports that the cab had become detached from the train.Eurostar would not confirm whether the lights had failed or reports that the cab had become detached from the train.
'Lost all power''Lost all power'
A spokesman said it did not know what had caused the electrically powered train to stop.A spokesman said it did not know what had caused the electrically powered train to stop.
He said: "We are investigating what happened fully.He said: "We are investigating what happened fully.
"The priority at the moment is making sure the passengers are well looked after."The priority at the moment is making sure the passengers are well looked after.
"As far as we are concerned we have got everything in place.""As far as we are concerned we have got everything in place."
He added that there was not expected to be any disruption to services later and passengers should check in as normal.He added that there was not expected to be any disruption to services later and passengers should check in as normal.
He said a later Paris-to-London service successfully bypassed the stranded train.He said a later Paris-to-London service successfully bypassed the stranded train.
Richard Startari, who was on the train, said: "Just 10 minutes from Ashford, the Eurostar kind of stopped, at which point we then lost all power.Richard Startari, who was on the train, said: "Just 10 minutes from Ashford, the Eurostar kind of stopped, at which point we then lost all power.
"A lot of the Eurostar staff are going up and down with water, but they don't seem to have torches, which is a bit concerning. They're using their iPhones.""A lot of the Eurostar staff are going up and down with water, but they don't seem to have torches, which is a bit concerning. They're using their iPhones."
Christopher Alonge said the train stopped at about 2245 GMT. He said passengers had been told they would have to board the rescue train coach by coach.Christopher Alonge said the train stopped at about 2245 GMT. He said passengers had been told they would have to board the rescue train coach by coach.
Strong criticismStrong criticism
The incident is the latest problem to hit Eurostar in recent months.The incident is the latest problem to hit Eurostar in recent months.
Several trains broke down in December when heavy snowfall caused the trains to lose power, leaving the service crippled for three days.Several trains broke down in December when heavy snowfall caused the trains to lose power, leaving the service crippled for three days.
A total of 2,500 passengers were stuck in the tunnel for up to five-and-a-half hours while a further 100,000 were stranded because of the delays.A total of 2,500 passengers were stuck in the tunnel for up to five-and-a-half hours while a further 100,000 were stranded because of the delays.
The firm was subsequently strongly criticised by an independent review which said its contingency plans for helping stranded passengers were "insufficient".The firm was subsequently strongly criticised by an independent review which said its contingency plans for helping stranded passengers were "insufficient".
It also raised concerns over the poor conditions for passengers stuck on the trains in the Channel Tunnel.It also raised concerns over the poor conditions for passengers stuck on the trains in the Channel Tunnel.
Carriages lost air conditioning and lighting as a result of the power failure, while sanitary conditions quickly became poor.Carriages lost air conditioning and lighting as a result of the power failure, while sanitary conditions quickly became poor.
Services between the UK and Brussels have also been delayed in the past week following a collision between two Belgian passenger trains on 15 February.Services between the UK and Brussels have also been delayed in the past week following a collision between two Belgian passenger trains on 15 February.
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