A train broke down in the middle of the Channel Tunnel causing severe delays and hundreds of passenger’s journeys to become disrupted.
About 400 travellers and four dogs were evacuated from the Eurotunnel train travelling to France after an electrical fault caused the breakdown at 7.30am this morning.
Passengers were trapped underground for almost two hours before they were transferred to another train and have since arrived safely in France.
A Eurotunnel spokesman said: “We are in the process of removing the incident train from the tunnel. The passengers have already been transferred to France on another train and we will reunite those passengers with their cars.
“We know it was a problem linked to the overhead power supply but we don’t know what exactly caused it. Once we have got the incident train moved we will be able to get a closer look.â€
The incident, which took place 7.5 miles into the tunnel, has caused severe delays and Eurotunnel customers being advised to avoid travelling today. Four trains have already been cancelled.
Foot passengers travelling from London St Pancras to France and Belgium have also been affected, with delays expected to last most of the day.
Eurotunnel tweeted: “Due to delays to passenger service following a technical problem with an overhead power line, we advise customers postpone travelling today.
“If travel today is non-essential you can exchange your ticket, free of charge, to another available service within the next four months.”