Eurostar services are gradually recommencing after a significant power supply malfunction within the Channel Tunnel caused widespread cancellations on December 30, 2025, during one of the busiest travel periods of the year. The technical fault, compounded by a separate failed LeShuttle freight train within the tunnel, led to the suspension of all cross-channel routes connecting London with Paris, Brussels, and Amsterdam.
The operator confirmed a partial reopening of the tunnel mid-afternoon, with the first services resuming around 4:00 PM GMT. However, Eurostar issued a strong advisory for passengers to postpone non-essential travel due to the persistent overhead power issue, warning that all resumed services would be subject to severe delays and potential last-minute cancellations. The disruption even affected some continental routes not utilizing the tunnel, such as Paris-Brussels services.
The incident created chaos at major terminals, including London’s St. Pancras and Paris’s Gare du Nord, where crowds of stranded travelers scrambled to find alternative arrangements. Passengers shared their frustrations with AFP correspondents, with many expressing disappointment over ruined New Year’s Eve plans. While some adopted a philosophical attitude toward the disruption, others desperately sought alternative transportation options, including flights and ferries, despite limited availability during the peak holiday season.
This incident represents the latest in a series of operational challenges for Eurostar, which transported a record 19.5 million passengers in 2024. The monopoly holder of Channel Tunnel passenger services since 1994 now faces emerging competition from Richard Branson’s venture and Trenitalia’s planned Paris-London service by 2029. Previous disruptions include an electrical fault in August 2025 and cable theft in northern France that caused June service interruptions.