Unexploded WWII Bomb Halts Train Services Between London and Paris, Causing Major Disruptions

On Friday, train services in and out of London and those heading north from Paris experienced significant disruptions following the discovery of an unexploded World War II bomb near the tracks at Gare du Nord, one of Paris’ busiest train stations. The discovery led to a complete halt in commuter traffic at the station, causing widespread travel disruptions.

French Transport Minister Philippe Tabarot announced that train services would be “strongly disrupted” throughout the day. He advised travelers to consider postponing their journeys, as only limited services were expected to resume in the afternoon. The national train operator, SNCF, confirmed that the suspension of services was initiated at the request of police authorities to ensure safety.

The disruption affected a wide range of services, including local metro lines, commuter rails, and both national and international train services. This included the Eurostar trains connecting London and Paris, which were brought to a standstill. The incident highlighted the impact of historical remnants on modern infrastructure, as the unexploded bomb dated back to World War II.

Minister Tabarot emphasized that there was no immediate danger or risk of explosion. He assured the public that established procedures for defusing and removing such ordnance were in place, aiming to minimize any potential threat. The situation underscored the importance of safety measures and the readiness of authorities to handle unexpected discoveries of wartime relics.