Flooded train tunnels cause misery for New Year travelers

Eurostar trains were canceled on Saturday due to flooded tunnels in southern England, causing misery for New Year travelers in the second major disruption in 10 days.

The latest cancellations follow a wildcat strike by French unions days before Christmas and weather warnings from the United Kingdom's Met Office for rain, snow and ice across large parts of the country.

Hundreds of travelers were stranded at London's St. Pancras station as Eurostar apologized to customers.

Newly-weds Nicole Carrera, 29, and her husband Christopher, 31, visiting from New York said their plans to spend New Year's Eve at Disneyland Paris had been "ruined."

"Now we won't get into Paris tomorrow until about 6:00 p.m.," Carrera said, adding that instead they would just walk around the French capital.

Another couple, Christina David, 25, and Georgina Benyamin, 26, from Sydney, had planned to make Paris their final stop in Europe before flying home.

David said she felt "frustrated, angry, sad," adding that "there were lots of people crying" and that they now had nowhere to stay.

The services were canceled after tunnels near Ebbsfleet International station in Kent were flooded.

Eurostar runs services from London to Paris, Brussels and Amsterdam via Ashford, midway between London and the southern English coast.

Posting on X, formerly Twitter, Southeastern Railway said: "No highspeed trains are expected to run today between St. Pancras and Ashford International.

"We are working to fix the flooding in the tunnels."

In a statement, Southeastern added that the flooding meant "all lines are blocked."

"Disruption is expected until the end of the day."

WITH AFP