Eurostar cancels all trains after power failure
Crowds queue at St Pancras and delays build up in Folkestone following Channel Tunnel closure Neil Johnston Senior news reporter. Madeleine Ross. Erik Olsson
30 December 2025 1:47pm GMT
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Thousands have been left stranded after Eurostar cancelled all services across the Channel.
Trains have turned back at London St Pancras after a power supply problem and a failed train closed the Channel Tunnel.
Drivers are also facing delays lasting hours as queues build up in Folkestone and Calais for Le Shuttle services, leaving thousands of New Year’s Eve plans in doubt.
Large crowds of people were pictured stuck at St Pancras, Brussels Midi and Gare du Nord in Paris after Eurostar warned of disruption on Tuesday morning.
The cross-Channel operator said all services from St Pancras to Europe would be suspended until further notice.
Le Shuttle, which runs the rail service for cars, is reporting delays at both terminals, with a delay of around three-and-a-half hours in the UK and two hours on the French side.
National Highways has warned there are up to 45-minute delays on the M20 near the Le Shuttle terminal in Folkestone.
Passengers at St Pancras were confused as they were told services were cancelled while others already on the way to Paris had to turn back.
One passenger travelling to Paris for New Year’s Eve on a train that was forced to return to St Pancras told The Telegraph: “The train randomly stopped just outside the entrance to the tunnel, and the problem was that there was no phone reception. Most people were trying to book things, and it was just hectic.
“We looked at getting the train tomorrow, it didn’t work, the ferry from Portsmouth, from Newhaven, from Dover. They ran out of foot passengers for one of the ferries.
“We also looked at flying from Birmingham or Bristol and taking the train. The flights from Bristol were booked out. We ended up just about getting one from Luton.”
A man travelling to Paris for New Year’s Eve with his partner said “we’ll have to put romance on hold” after their Eurostar train was cancelled.
John Paul, from Peterborough, was bought the trip as a surprise Christmas present from his partner Lucy. He said they had spent five hours on a Paris-bound train before it unexpectedly returned to London.
Speaking at King’s Cross St Pancras, the 46-year-old said: “We left on the seven o’clock train this morning, we were sat on the train for about an hour, I think, waiting to leave from here, and then we got probably about an hour down the track, maybe 40 minutes, and then they basically said the train’s got to stop because the train ahead got a braking issue.
“So they kept telling us that the driver was trying to fix the brakes on this other train and that the other trains were then backed up and that was basically the same story that we were told all the way through.”
He added: “I think the thing is, at the minute, there’s no clear information and obviously, we’ve lost a lot of money, haven’t we?”
Mr Paul said they had a river cruise in Paris and the Eiffel Tower booked for Tuesday evening, adding: “We’ll have to put romance on hold for a while.”
Eurostar said that it was left with “no choice” but to cancel all services and urged passengers not to come to the station.
It said: “Due to a problem with the overhead power supply and a subsequent failed Le Shuttle train, the Channel tunnel is currently closed.
“Unfortunately, this means we have no choice but to suspend all services today until further notice. Please do not come to the station.
“We’re very sorry for the impact the situation may have on your travel plans.”
Eurostar said passengers could rearrange their plans free of charge or cancel their booking and get a refund or an e-voucher.
National Rail said the power problem was likely to lead to severe delays and last-minute cancellations between St Pancras International and Paris Nord.
“There is a problem with the overhead power supply in the Channel Tunnel,” it said. “Trains are likely to be subject to severe delays and last-minute cancellations.”
Le Shuttle had said later on Monday night that an incident had occurred on Monday night in part of the tunnel and had hoped traffic would resume at 3pm.
A spokesman said: “An incident related to the power supply to trains occurred last night in part of the Channel Tunnel, affecting train and shuttle traffic. A technical intervention is required, which is currently under way.
“The service is temporarily suspended in both directions. Traffic is expected to resume gradually around 15:00 CET for Le Shuttle customers.
“Our teams are working to restore the situation as quickly as possible. Waiting times will be adjusted throughout the day.
“Eurotunnel apologises for the inconvenience and thanks its customers for their patience and understanding.”
Passengers looking to take alternative routes could be forced to fork out hundreds of pounds.
All British Airways flights to Paris on Tuesday sold out while a ticket to Charles De Gaulle on Wednesday starts at £352.
The only Air France flight on Tuesday starts at £684 from Heathrow and is also the cheapest ticket available on Wednesday.
EasyJet is sold out from Gatwick, Luton and Southend for the next two days.
Alternative routes available
LNER, which runs services on the East Coast Main Line, said passengers affected by the Eurostar disruption could travel to their home station for free on trains, the rail operator said.
A statement on the firm’s website said: “LNER customers with tickets dated Tuesday, Dec 30, who have been affected can travel on an alternative LNER train today, Dec 30.
“Any customers who have had to abandon their journey in London King’s Cross can return to their home station on the next available LNER service at no additional cost.
“LNER customers who choose to defer their Eurostar travel to a different day may use their existing LNER ticket to travel on the same day.”
The Port of Dover has said it has capacity for extra passengers looking for alternative routes.
Rory Boland, Editor of Which? Travel, said: “Travellers will be incredibly frustrated to have had their New Year’s Eve plans thrown into uncertainty because of train cancellations.
“It may also be possible to use other routes to get home, such as the ferry, but you will need to contact Eurostar first or risk being left out of pocket.”
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