‘People are fainting’: Eurostar passengers forced to evacuate in scorching heat
Hundreds of passengers were forced to leave a Eurostar train in scorching heat when the train lost power.
According to the train company, there was a problem with the overhead power supply.
It caused the air conditioning to stop functioning onboard the morning train from London to Brussels.
According to several Twitter users, passengers were then evacuated to the side of the track to wait for a replacement train.
Comedian Katy Brand was onboard, and tweeted that passengers had been waiting for two hours for another train.
So @Eurostar I am one of hundreds of people on the fire-struck 10.56 train Brussels to London. We are being held in a tunnel. Babies are ill, people are fainting. We were promised a rescue train. It’s been two hours. Where is it? This is very unsafe. Legal action ahead. pic.twitter.com/KaryCiD4zh
— Katy Brand (@KatyFBrand)
Fellow passenger Paul De Grauwe said the train stopped somewhere near Tubize just outside Brussels.
Stuck in Eurostar somewhere close to Tubize. Train broke down. No elecricity, no airco anymore. Temperature rising. Conclusion: avoid Eurostar when its very hot. (Also when very cold). I should have known better.
— Paul De Grauwe (@pdegrauwe)
A spokesperson for Eurostar said: “One of our trains has been held due to an issue with the power supply.
“We are working to resolve this as soon as possible, and another train has been sent from Brussels to collect travellers on board.
“Customers with bookings this afternoon should check our website for any cancellations caused as a knock-on effect and we apologise for any inconvenience caused.”
Eurostar is advising passengers not to travel on the Belgian line today due to knock-on delays. It has also cancelled two services between London and Brussels.
Passengers with Belgium bookings today can change their trip or get a refund for free.
