Eurostar Service Disrupted by Cable Theft and Accidents

Eurostar has announced severe delays for two days due to cable theft near Lille and two unfortunate fatalities on its line. The company has urged travelers to reconsider their plans amidst rising concerns over rail infrastructure security in Europe.

 

Eurostar, the high-speed train operator linking Britain with mainland Europe, is dealing with severe disruptions for the second day in a row due to cable theft incidents. Travelers were urged to either cancel or postpone their journeys following these unfortunate events. The operator reported delays and spontaneous cancellations after a cable theft occurred near its station in Lille, France, on Wednesday, compounding the operational chaos that began a day earlier when two individuals tragically lost their lives on the train line connecting Lille and Paris.

These disruptions coincided with growing concerns about the safety of rail services in Europe, as incidents of sabotage and vandalism increase. In May, a similar theft left over 10,000 travelers stranded in Spain, and last July, arsonists targeted crucial high-speed rail infrastructure in France, damaging cables before the anticipated Paris Olympics.

The French rail network is recognized for its complexity and coverage, making it particularly susceptible to such criminal activities. Although there has been no clear indication of the motive behind the recent cable thefts, the frequency of these incidents raises serious questions about security measures in place.

Eurostar's troubles reflect a troubling trend throughout the continent, prompting calls for enhanced protections against infrastructure sabotage.