Eurostar services disrupted by fatalities, copper cable theft

(Sharecast News) - Eurostar rail services have been severely disrupted on Wednesday after two separate fatalities on the track in France followed by the theft of copper cables near Lille. The high-speed operator cancelled services and delayed others on routes serving London, Paris, Brussels and Amsterdam. Two people died in separate incidents on the LGV Nord high-speed line between Lille and Paris on Tuesday, which closed the line for most of the day.

Eurostar said the disruption from this was already continuing into Wednesday when services were further delayed after cable was stolen on the same railway line near Lille. French media reported 600 metres of the key material was stolen.

The three incidents forced Eurostar to run services on alternative routes, extending journey times with further problems caused by trains and staff members being out of position.

It added that one track had reopened, allowing some trains to run in both directions until full repairs are completed, expected to be around 1600 BST.

Reporting by Frank Prenesti for Sharecast.com