Channel Tunnel Passengers Evacuated From Train

A France-bound train has been forced to a stop under the English Channel and nearly 400 people told to leave the shuttle.

Hundreds of passengers have been evacuated from a broken-down train inside the Channel Tunnel, causing delays of up to six hours for other services.

The Eurotunnel shuttle train, which was heading to France, came to a halt around 7.30am, seven miles into the 30-mile long tunnel.

It stopped after a problem with the overhead power line.

Some 382 passengers and four dogs were taken off the train and then transferred to the French terminal.

Services through the tunnel, using one of the two running tunnels, were able to continue.

But Eurotunnel warned services were being delayed, with hold-ups possibly lasting for the rest of the day.



A spokesman said: "The evacuated passengers are now at the French terminal and are waiting for the affected train to arrive so they can get their cars.

"We are advising people who don't need to travel today to travel on another day. There are queues building up and travellers should expect delays throughout the day."

The company said in a statement: "Our passenger service is currently operating with some timetable disruption. This is due to an incident in the tunnel which is in the process of being resolved.

"There is a waiting time of approximately 60 minutes before check-in and five hours on the terminal.

"We sincerely apologise for the inconvenience this will cause to your journey."

Eurostar added: "If travel today is non-essential you can exchange your ticket, free of charge, to another available service within the next four months."

More follows...

http://news.sky.com/story/1296516/channel-tunnel-passengers-evacuated-from-train

That wouldn't be pleasant.