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Eurostar Services Hit by Lille Incident After Rotterdam Cable-Fire Disruptions

Emergency work at Lille-Europe has worsened delays on cross-border routes and prompted the operator to offer free ticket exchanges while probes continue.

Overview

  • The June 29 fire in a cable duct near Rotterdam Stadion caused a major power failure that shut rail traffic south of Rotterdam and halted multiple LondonAmsterdam services.
  • Eurostar had warned the Rotterdam damage would disrupt services until at least July 6 and said LondonAmsterdam trains would not call at Rotterdam while some Amsterdam services would also skip Schiphol.
  • A developing incident at Lille-Europe on July 7 drew emergency services and has produced severe delays and some cancellations on routes linking London with Lille, Brussels, Rotterdam and Amsterdam.
  • Passengers have faced cancellations, much longer journeys and limited seat availability, with some travellers using ferries or coaches and seeking refunds; Eurostar is offering free exchanges and urging customers to check live updates before travelling.
  • The disruptions underline how damage to power and signalling equipment on linked national networks can cascade into international rail cancellations and longer journeys, and investigations into both incidents are ongoing.