Thousands of Eurostar passengers are experiencing severe delays and last-minute cancellations, primarily due to recent incidents impacting rail operations in northern France. The latest and most significant cause of disruption stems from the theft of approximately 600 metres of copper cables overnight in Lille. This act of vandalism has forced Eurostar to reroute services, leading to considerably extended journey times and widespread schedule alterations.

This current wave of disruption follows closely on the heels of two separate fatalities that occurred on Tuesday on the LGV Nord high-speed line, located between Lille and Paris. These tragic incidents led to the closure of the line for a substantial portion of Tuesday afternoon and evening, resulting in significant service interruptions, including numerous cancellations on routes to and from Paris. Trains operating on the London-Brussels-Amsterdam route also faced considerable delays due to these events.

The combined effect of these incidents has created a complex logistical challenge for Eurostar. The initial disruption caused by the fatalities led to many trains and staff members being out of their usual positions. The subsequent cable theft on the same line near Lille further exacerbated this knock-on impact, compounding the operational difficulties and prolonging the period of severe inconvenience for travellers.

In response to the ongoing situation, Eurostar is actively working to mitigate the impact on its passengers. The operator has confirmed that it is providing water to passengers on delayed trains and has deployed dedicated teams at stations to offer assistance. Furthermore, affected passengers are being given the option to change their travel plans free of charge or to request a full refund for their tickets. Eurostar has also advised travellers via a post on X (formerly Twitter) that trains are likely to face "severe delays and last-minute cancellations," strongly recommending that passengers "cancel or postpone" their trips if possible.