Eurostar chaos LIVE: Latest updates as bomb squad examine unexploded device near Gare Du Nord with ALL trains suspended between London and Paris

Eurostar passengers have been hit with major disruption today after the discovery of an unexploded Second World War bomb near tracks in the French capital.

All services between London and Paris have been halted until after midday meaning thousands of passengers are left stranded on either side of the Channel.

Fridays are one of the busiest days of the week for Eurostar, as many leisure travellers embark on international weekend breaks.

A Eurostar spokesperson said the bomb was discovered during work on tracks in the St Denis area, north of central Paris.

Live updates below 

Pictures: Queues build at St Pancras as travellers face weekend disruption

Here are the latest pictures we can bring you from London St Pancras station where many passengers will be hastily making alternative travel arrangements.

Eurostar has confirmed no trains will run between London and Paris today although services to other European cities such as Brussels remain unaffected.

Top story: Chaos for Eurostar passengers as trains suspended all day

Here is our main Eurostar story on the MailOnline website.

The rail operator has just announced services will remain suspended for the rest of the day leaving thousands of passengers with weekend plans disrupted.

Initially, it was hoped trains could run between London and Paris this afternoon but the company has now said they will be halted all day.

Breaking:Eurostar services to remain suspended ALL DAY

Eurostar said its services between London and Paris will remain suspended for the rest of today after the discovery of an unexploded Second World War bomb in the French capital.

The operator said affected passengers can exchange their ticket for free to travel at a different time or date in the same travel class.

It added that it ‘sincerely apologises for the disruption and understands the inconvenience this may cause’.

Eurostar urges passengers to travel another day

A view of the departures board at St Pancras station this morning

Eurostar is this morning urging passengers to travel on another day amid huge disruption to services caused by the discovery of a wartime bomb.

Here is what a spokesman said this morning:

Due to the discovery last night of an unexploded bomb from the Second World War during work carried out on the tracks in St Denis (North of Paris), traffic has been completely halted to and from Gare du Nord.

Traffic will only be able to resume once the mine clearance operations currently being organised by the specialised services of the Paris Police Prefecture have been completed.

Eurostar has informed its passengers and is encouraging them to travel on another day. Eurostar sincerely apologizes for the disruption and understands the inconvenience this may cause.

We appreciate everyone’s patience and cooperation during this time.

Bomb is rare discovery on busy railway tracks

The discovery of a wartime bomb has likely caused somewhat of a surprise this morning.

Not because of what it is with unexploded devices regularly reported across France, but it is rare for them to be found in such densely-populated areas.

Railways in Paris were targeted by British and American during the Second World War to disturb German operations.

How long it takes to dismantle the bomb will depend on its size and how accessible it is.

Eurostar suspends ALL trains between London and Paris: Everything we know so far

We are reporting live updates this morning on travel disruption caused by the suspension of all Eurostar services between London and Paris.

Trains running between the European capitals have been halted until after 12pm and French officials say it’s likely only a limited service will resume this afternoon.

As of 9am, here’s what you need to know:

  • Eurostar has suspended services between London and Paris after the discovery of an unexploded Second World War bomb near tracks in the French capital
  • Ten services have been cancelled this morning to leave thousands of passengers stranded on both sides of the Channel
  • All trains in the Paris to London direction are cancelled until at least 12.09pm
  • French transport minister Philippe Tabarot told broadcaster Sud Radio that trains will be “strongly disrupted” throughout the day, with only a limited service resuming in the afternoon.
  • The bomb was discovered at around 4am during work on tracks in the St Denis area, north of central Paris
  • French bomb disposal experts are currently examining the device at the scene

Pictures: Thousands left stranded on either side of Channel

Fridays are one of the busiest days of the week for Eurostar, as many leisure travellers embark on international weekend breaks.

Gare du Nord also connects Paris with other international destinations such as in Belgium, the Netherlands and Germany, as well as being used for domestic services.

It is considered the world’s busiest railway station outside of Japan.

Here are some pictures we can show you from London St Pancras and Gare Du Nord this morning:

Passengers approach staff at St Pancras after services are cancelled

Travellers were also stuck at Gare Du Nord station in Paris

One British passenger captured huge crowds in the Paris station

Bomb squad examining unexploded WW2 device

SNCF employees in Gare du Nord station

A bomb squad has been working on the scene since 6am and are assessing the ongoing situation, French railway company SNCF confirmed.

The unexploded device was discovered at around 4am.

A spokesperson for Eurostar said it was found during work on tracks in the St Denis area, north of central Paris.

This resulted in the suspension of all services to and from Gare du Nord, which is Eurostar’s station in Paris.

Services will only be permitted to resume once ‘mine clearance operations’ by the French police are completed, the spokesperson added.

Eurostar suspends all trains between London and Paris

Hello and welcome to MailOnline’s live coverage as Eurostar suspends services between London and Paris after the discovery of an unexploded Second World War bomb near tracks in the French capital.

The bomb squad is currently examining the device near Gare du Nord station which has already disrupted thousands of passengers by leaving them stranded on either side of the Channel.

All trains in the Paris to London direction are cancelled until at least 12.09pm.

Stick with us as we bring you the latest updates throughout the day.



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