Eurostar services disrupted due to 'major disruption' in Channel Tunnel

LONDON -- A great number of Eurostar trains were delayed or canceled on Tuesday after a power supply problem in the Channel Tunnel, causing significant disruption in a busy travel period between Christmas and New Year.

Since the morning, several trains have been delayed by up to two hours. Operator Getlink cited "a power supply problem in the Channel Tunnel" and "a technical problem on a Le Shuttle train," French news channel BFMTV reported.

In Britain, all Eurostar services to and from London's St Pancras railway station have been canceled. Large crowds of people have been stranded in the station. Beyond the London-Paris route, trains linking London and Brussels have also been canceled.

Eurostar operates passenger trains between Paris, Brussels, Amsterdam, and London. The Channel Tunnel is the only railway link between Britain and continental Europe.

Services on the Le Shuttle service, which carries cars and freight vehicles between Folkestone and Calais via the tunnel, are also severely affected.

"Due to a problem with the overhead power supply in the Channel Tunnel and a subsequent failed Le Shuttle train, our trains are likely to be subject to severe delays and last-minute cancellations," Eurostar said in a statement.

Both Getlink and Eurostar have advised passengers to postpone their journey to a different date and not travel to the station. Getlink said free exchanges are available in its statement.