Brit passengers stuck for nearly 6 hours when heatwave knocks out Eurostar train air conditioning

Eurostar passengers on a Paris-to-London service were stuck for nearly six hours on Thursday after a heat-related technical failure disrupted train 9043 at Lille Europe.

The train was held at the station after passengers had already cleared UK border control. Eurostar said it organised a transfer to another train, numbered 9049, but a separate signalling issue south of Lille, also linked to the high temperatures, kept the service stationary until 22:52.

The train eventually arrived at London St Pancras nearly six hours late.

What happened

Eurostar said the original problem was a technical failure linked to high temperatures. The operator has not given any further detail on which component failed.

According to the timeline provided, the train was first held at Lille Europe at 17:51, then remained stopped until 22:52 before continuing to London.

Passengers reported being unable to leave the carriage after border control had already been completed, adding to the delay and discomfort during the heatwave.

Compensation and wider disruption

Eurostar said affected customers will receive full ticket refunds and a voucher worth 150% of the fare.

The disruption came as parts of France experienced temperatures above 40C and wider European transport networks were under strain from the heatwave. Eurostar had already warned of heat-related disruption and cancellations earlier in the week, with some services running at reduced speed.

The operator has not yet said whether it will issue more detail on the technical fault or how many passengers were on board.