Travel warning issued as Eurostar trains cancelled and diverted due to ‘acts of malice’ ahead of Paris Olympics

With only hours to go before the opening ceremony for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games travellers making their way to the French capital from London face disruption as several Eurostar trains have been cancelled. Others have been diverted following “coordinated acts of malice” in France.

On Friday the rail operator, which runs international services from London St Pancras, confirmed on Friday its trains would be delayed because of the ongoing issues over the Channel. It warns that for services that do go ahead “journey times will be extended”.

Eurostar said: “Due to coordinated acts of malice in France, affecting the high-speed line between Paris and Lille, all high-speed trains going to and coming from Paris are being diverted via the classic line today Friday July 26. This extends the journey time by around an hour-and-a-half. Several trains have been cancelled.

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“Eurostar’s teams are fully mobilised in stations, in the call centres, and onboard to ensure that all passengers are informed and can reach their destination.” The company said customers were being informed via email, text and on the Eurostar website. Any affected passengers can cancel or refund their tickets or modify their journey free of charge.

French rail company SNCF said a series of incidents overnight had affected travel to and from London beneath the Channel, to Belgium and across the west, north and east of France. Three fires were reported near the tracks of the French Atlantique, Nord and Est high-speed lines by local media.

The Foreign and Commonwealth Office also issued a warning to anyone heading to France following the disruption. They wrote on their latest travel advice for France: “There are reports of disruption across main line train services affecting Eurostar services and domestic high speed trains in several parts of France.

“French railways state that services could be disrupted until Monday 29 July and are advising travellers to postpone travel if possible. Check with your travel operator, or railway operator’s website”.

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