WWII bomb disrupts Eurostar services paralyzing travel in Paris
World War II bomb found in Trebnitz near Merseburg (Photo: Getty Images)
A massive World War II bomb discovered near Paris’ Gare du Nord brought the city’s transport network to a standstill on Friday, suspending Eurostar services and forcing road closures in one of France’s busiest travel hubs, AP News reports.
The unexploded half-ton bomb was found overnight during construction work near the tracks in Seine-Saint-Denis, just north of Paris. Authorities quickly established a security perimeter, evacuating the area and calling in bomb disposal experts. As a result, Eurostar announced the suspension of all trains between Paris, London, and Brussels, throwing thousands of travel plans into disarray.
Passengers at London’s St. Pancras scrambled to find alternative routes, with some considering flights or regional trains to Lille.
“We’re looking up flights, but our options are limited,” said Lauren Romeo-Smith, who had planned a birthday weekend in Paris.
Others, like Lee Bailey, accepted Eurostar’s offer of a free rebooking or refund but were left unimpressed. “I’d like to go to a Michelin-starred restaurant in Paris on their dime, but that’s not happening,” he joked.
Major road closures add to chaos
The disruption extended beyond rail travel, as Paris police shut down sections of the A1 highway and the périphérique ring road. At Gare du Nord, which normally handles 700,000 passengers daily, electronic boards flashed red with cancellation notices. French Transport Minister Philippe Tabarot confirmed the bomb’s weight and urged people to delay travel.
While old wartime explosives are occasionally found in France, such discoveries in densely populated areas are rare. The SNCF railway operator stated that services were halted at the request of police to ensure public safety.
