LONDON, December 31, 2025 — Eurostar has suspended all train services through the Channel Tunnel due to a major power problem and a failed freight train, causing severe cross-Channel travel disruption. The critical London-Paris and London-Brussels routes are halted, with Getlink, the tunnel operator, indicating service may not resume until Tuesday afternoon.
What caused the Eurostar suspension?
The suspension was triggered by a dual incident within the Channel Tunnel. Eurostar cited a “power problem in the tunnel and a subsequent failed Le Shuttle train” as the cause of the “major disruption.” This combination of faults has severely limited operational capacity. Currently, only one of the two main tunnels is available for train traffic, creating a critical bottleneck for all services that use the cross-Channel link.
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What is the current status of services?
Services are resuming very gradually but with major ongoing delays. Eurotunnel’s press office stated the LeShuttle service for cars and freight “resumed very gradually on one track” shortly before 15:00 local time (14:00 GMT). They confirmed that “service is operating alternately in both directions with significant delays.” The first disrupted Eurostar service, the 15:04 train from London to Brussels, departed after 16:00. Operators plan to add “additional shuttles will be added in the evening and until tomorrow morning” to manage the backlog.
What are passengers being advised?
Eurostar has officially urged passengers to postpone their journeys. The company issued an advisory citing the “major disruption” and the limited tunnel availability. Passengers with existing bookings are advised not to travel to stations without checking the latest service updates directly with Eurostar or LeShuttle. The operator has not yet provided details on refund or rebooking policies for those affected by the suspension and subsequent delays.
How long will the disruption last?
The timeline for a full return to normal service remains uncertain. Getlink, the operator of the Channel Tunnel infrastructure, has informed news agencies that train traffic would likely resume on Tuesday afternoon. This suggests disruptions will continue throughout New Year’s Eve and into the following day. The ongoing single-track, alternating-direction operation will cause significant delays even as services slowly restart.
FAQ
Q: Are all Eurostar trains cancelled?
A: Services were fully suspended. A very gradual resumption on a single track began in the afternoon, but severe delays and cancellations continue.
Q: What caused the problem?
A: Eurostar stated the suspension was caused by a power problem in the Channel Tunnel followed by a failed Le Shuttle freight train.
Q: Is the Channel Tunnel closed?
A: Only one of the two main tunnels is now in use, therefore all traffic must share a single track in alternating directions even though it is not closed.
Q: When will services return to normal?
A: Getlink, the tunnel operator, indicated train traffic is likely to resume fully on Tuesday afternoon. Significant delays are expected until then.
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