Unexploded WWII Bomb Disrupts Eurostar Services at Gare du Nord

PARIS, France — An unexploded World War II bomb discovered near Gare du Nord station on Friday morning has halted Eurostar train services between Paris and London, leaving thousands of travelers stranded. The 500 kg ordnance was uncovered by construction workers around 4 a.m. during track renovation operations approximately a mile from the busy station.

As a result of the bomb discovery, Eurostar canceled all services for the day, affecting many individuals planning weekend getaways. The busy Gare du Nord, which services about 700,000 travelers daily, saw long queues forming inside as confused passengers awaited news about resumed services.

Initially, the station was packed with frustrated travelers, many of whom have since resigned to the disruption. “We had everything planned for a birthday trip, but now we’re stuck in London,” said one group of women celebrating a 25th birthday. Another American couple, frustrated after booking various attractions in Paris, now faces unexpected costs for extending their stay in the UK.

Some travelers are attempting to reroute to Paris through Lille, a three-hour bus journey away. “It’s going to be a bit of an adventure,” said a group of young men planning to take this alternate route.

French authorities have implemented a security perimeter around the bomb site, and Transport Minister Philippe Tabarot indicated that limited train services might begin to resume around 3 p.m. GMT, contingent upon safety assessments. “If we get the green light, we could restore part of the service by 4 p.m.,” he said in a press briefing.

While Eurostar operations between Paris and London have faced significant cancellations, routes to Brussels and Amsterdam remain unaffected. Some travelers have opted for bus services to Charles de Gaulle airport, hoping to catch flights instead.

Local media reported that the bomb, unearthed two meters deep, is not uncommon in France as wartime ordnance continues to surface, though its discovery in a densely populated transit hub is exceedingly rare.

Eurostar has expressed its apologies for the disruption and offers affected passengers the option to exchange their tickets without fees for alternate travel dates. “We understand the inconvenience this may cause,” the company stated, urging travelers to stay informed as the situation develops.

As the day progressed, frustrations grew at London’s St Pancras station, where long lines formed as passengers sought rebooking. “The queue is endless,” said one traveler, waiting to rebook their canceled journey.

Travelers are being urged to check for updates and remain patient as authorities and Eurostar work to resolve the issue. Further updates are expected as bomb disposal teams continue their work near Gare du Nord.