PARIS, 7 March 2025 (AFP) – Thousands of passengers in Paris and London were left stranded on Friday following the discovery of a World War II bomb on railway tracks leading to Gare du Nord, forcing the suspension of all traffic at France’s busiest train station.
The unexploded device was found approximately 2.5 kilometres (1.5 miles) from the station in the northern suburb of Saint-Denis during routine maintenance work overnight, according to the national rail company SNCF. Police immediately halted all train services to and from the station while bomb disposal experts worked to neutralise the threat.
As a result, all Eurostar trains departing from Paris were cancelled, leaving many international travellers in disarray. The RER B suburban line, which runs between Gare du Nord and Charles de Gaulle Airport, was also affected, exacerbating disruptions for commuters and tourists alike.
Widespread Travel Disruptions
Gare du Nord, a critical transport hub, serves high-speed international services, regional trains, and suburban networks. The station is particularly significant for cross-Channel travel, hosting Eurostar services to London and Brussels.
Many stranded passengers expressed frustration at the unexpected disruption.
“I’ve been waiting since 6:00 am for an RER to Goussainville,” said Corinne Schiavenato, 55. “I tried to take a replacement bus, but it’s impossible—too many passengers, they’re packed. I’m self-employed, and my client has been waiting for me since 7:00 am.”
Others took the situation with more patience.
“It’s funny, I’ve just come back from Lorient, where unexploded shells are discovered all the time,” remarked traveller Chloé Ternand, referring to a town in western France known for its wartime history.
Authorities Urge Passengers to Avoid Travel
France’s Transport Minister, Philippe Tabarot, warned that rail traffic at Gare du Nord would remain “heavily disrupted all day” on Friday, a particularly busy time for weekend travellers. Speaking to Sud Radio, he advised commuters to avoid the station and postpone their journeys if possible.
Eurostar urged ticket holders to rebook their trips for a later date, confirming that services between London and Brussels, as well as London and Amsterdam, were unaffected.
Meanwhile, at London’s St Pancras station, where Eurostar departures were suspended, crowds of frustrated travellers sought alternative routes. Some were advised to reroute through Lille, while others considered flying instead.
“We would have thought there would be more Eurostar staff to help,” said Lauren Romeo-Smith, who was travelling with a group for a birthday celebration. “We’re looking up flights, but our options are limited.”
A Recurring Issue Across Europe:
This is not the first time that wartime relics have disrupted transport in France. In 2019, another WWII bomb forced the temporary suspension of train services between Saint-Lazare station and the western suburbs of Paris.
Unexploded ordnance remains a persistent issue across Europe, particularly in Germany, where hundreds of WWII bombs are still buried beneath urban areas. In August 2023, around 13,000 residents in Düsseldorf were evacuated after a one-tonne, US-made bomb was discovered during construction work.
Gare du Nord remains one of the busiest train stations in Europe, handling over 226 million passengers in 2023, according to SNCF. While authorities have not yet confirmed when normal service will resume, the incident serves as a stark reminder of the lingering impact of World War II on modern infrastructure.