A technical failure has led to a complete halt of Eurostar services... On Tuesday, December 30, 2025, Eurostar traffic between Paris, London, Brussels, and Amsterdam remains suspended until further notice due to an electrical power issue in the Channel Tunnel. This disruption affects all routes operated by the railway company, which is the sole provider of passenger transport between the continent and the UK through the tunnel. A gradual resumption of service is expected to begin from 3 p.m., according to Getlink, the tunnel operator, but by Tuesday evening, only two trains had managed to leave Paris.
The incident began this morning with an electrical failure, which was followed by a LeShuttle shuttle becoming stranded in the tunnel, according to information released by Eurostar and confirmed by a company spokesperson. Passengers are advised to avoid the stations unless they hold tickets for today, and to postpone their travel plans if possible. The company states on its website that it is offering free ticket exchanges, or refunds via bank transfer or travel voucher.
This significant disruption of the Chunnel comes at a particularly delicate time, just two days before New Year’s Eve. Many travelers were preparing to cross the Channel for holiday or family celebrations. Passenger traffic across the Channel has come to a complete halt, impacting thousands of travelers heading to or from European capitals.
Eurostar remains reliant on Getlink to restore normal operations, but the complexity of its processes means any timeline for resumption is still uncertain. "LeShuttle/Getlink can easily resume their service because the journey takes only 30 minutes," a spokesperson told our colleagues at TF1. She also pointed out that delays on the Eurostar side could be longer due to issues related to crew management, rolling stock, and train rotations.
If you're planning to travel between the United Kingdom and mainland Europe by train today, it's advisable to check real-time updates on the Eurostar website. Other modes of transportation, such as ferries or flights, are expected to be heavily booked in the coming hours, with the risk of congestion as New Year's Eve approaches.
This technical move comes against the backdrop of increasing competition for Eurostar. Several companies, including Virgin, have recently announced plans to launch alternative routes to London. The British group has notably gained access to the Temple Mills rail depot, a strategic site that had previously been exclusive to Eurostar. In 2024, a record 19.5 million passengers traveled on Eurostar trains, highlighting the current intense competition in the cross-channel market.
If you are affected by this disruption, Eurostar confirms that tickets can be exchanged free of charge or refunded, according to current policies. Requests can be made online, through your customer account, or via the reservation management portal.
The return to normal operations will entirely depend on resolving the technical issues within the tunnel and coordinating the efforts of the operational teams. Real-time updates are available on the official Eurostar website or through the communication channels of the affected stations.
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