All Eurotunnel services have been unexpectedly cancelled today after last-minute strike action was announced by French staff, wrecking havoc on Christmas travel plans.
At least 30 Eurostar trains have been cancelled out of London and an additional four trains were forced to return to their starting point after the strike began.
A statement on the Eurotunnel website said: “Due to industrial action our service is suspended. Customers are advised that, as a consequence of this incident, access to our site is currently unavailable.
“If you are due to travel today please make alternative arrangements or modify your booking. Incidents of this nature are extremely rare and we’re grateful for your patience.”
The action is reportedly over a dispute about staff’s end-of-year bonus pay, which was rejected by unions.
On its travel updates page, Eurostar said train traffic to and from London was currently suspended and all services have been cancelled until at least 7pm.
They said: “Due to a last-minute strike by Eurotunnel staff, no Channel Tunnel crossings have taken place since 21 December, midday. Unfortunately, this means 30 Eurostar trains have been cancelled out of London, Paris or Brussels until the end of the day.”
The train operation company urged all passengers in a post on X to postpone their journey, adding that passengers due to travel tomorrow will be contacted directly about changes to their journey.
“Today’s call for strike action by representatives of Eurotunnel’s French site staff unions has resulted in the complete interruption of service and the closure of our terminals in France and the UK”, a spokesperson from Getlink, the company that manages the Eurotunnel, said in an e-mailed statement to Reuters.
The company added that trade unions had rejected a bonus payment of 1,000 euros (£867) announced by management, demanding for the amount to be trebled.
Trade union officials at the company could not immediately be reached for comment.
Numerous social media posts from people trying to reach London or Paris for Christmas earlier said they were stuck in trains or train stations, some citing trains being possibly turned back to their departure stations.
One social media reported being stuck outside the tunnel for over an hour while another one said his train was being returned to London St Pancras.
The station descended into chaos as people travelling ahead of the Christmas weekend found themselves stranded in London.
Chaos also ensued on the other end of the line in Paris. One passenger shared pictured of the crowded terminal as people tried to leave.
Strong winds were also disrupting the Christmas getaway on Britain’s domestic railway.
Damage to the overhead electric wires between Milton Keynes and Watford meant all lines between those stations were blocked.
Passengers are advised to check travel updates on the Eurostar website for the latest information.
