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Eurostar trains between London and Paris have been suspended indefinitely because of a fault in the power supply in the Channel Tunnel, disrupting journeys for thousands of travellers.
The train operator said on Tuesday that all trains that travel through the tunnel that connects the UK and France were “suspended until further notice”.
“We advise our customers to rebook their journey for another day, with free exchanges available,” it said. “We apologise for the disruption and will continue to keep customers updated with the latest information.”
Passengers who had planned to travel during the typically busy New Year period were warned earlier on Tuesday of delays.
Eurostar said the disruption had been caused by a problem with the “overhead power supply in the Channel Tunnel and a subsequent failed LeShuttle train”.
The LeShuttle system transports road vehicles through the Channel Tunnel that connects France and the UK, with up to four departures per hour. It said on Tuesday lunchtime that all services were likely to be delayed by about three hours, but added that they were “starting to resume”.
The LeShuttle shuttles carry an average of 10mn passengers a year and Eurostar carries 11mn, according to Eurotunnel, which is part of Getlink Group.
No passengers were stranded in the tunnel when the broken LeShuttle failed.
The UK’s National Rail also warned passengers who had been planning to travel on the route that connects London and Paris of the risk of delays and cancellations.
Eurotunnel did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
