A train from Calais to Folkestone appeared to have broken down, stranding dozens of passengers for many hours inside the Channel Tunnel.
After abandoning their vehicles, Eurotunnel Le Shuttle passengers were captured on camera being evacuated through an emergency service tunnel.
They were ultimately transferred to a different train and transported to Kent’s Folkestone station.
A Eurotunnel spokesperson stated that normal service had been restored.
Le Shuttle stated that the incident on Tuesday evening began when the train’s sirens went off, and this must be investigated.
Such instances, according to a spokesman, are uncommon but not unheard of; they occur significantly more frequently on trains hauling trucks than on trains carrying private vehicles.
“The Shuttle was halted under control and inspected. As a precaution, and for their safety and comfort, we relocated the people on board to another shuttle via the service tunnel,” the official explained.
“We escorted them to the terminal building, where refreshments were offered, before bringing out the original shuttle and reuniting them with their cars.”
Sarah Fellows, 37, from Birmingham, stated to the PA news agency that the service tunnel was “terrifying.”
She said, “It was like a catastrophe film.” You were simply marching towards the abyss without understanding what was occurring. We were all required to remain submerged in this long line.
A woman was crying in the tunnel, while a woman traveling alone was having a panic attack.
Another passenger, who did not wish to be identified, stated, “Several individuals were freaking out about being in the service tube… We were trapped underground for at least five hours.”
Le Shuttle stated that all passengers were transferred at 20:22 BST (19:22 GMT) “by safety protocols and as a comfort measure.”
A passenger reported that their train had halted. The passenger complained of poor communication due to a malfunctioning public speaker system.
A Le Shuttle representative afterward stated that the Folkestone side passenger flow was light.
Overnight, four additional trains were added between Calais and Folkestone to alleviate the backlog caused by the incident.
However, passengers from Calais were urged not to travel to the terminal on Tuesday evening.
“We urge you not to travel to the terminal tonight due to the previous train malfunction,” Le Shuttle stated. Tomorrow, please arrive after 6 am.
Passengers and their automobiles are transported between Folkestone and Calais by this service.
It features the longest underwater tunnel portion in the world, measuring 37.9 kilometers (23.5 miles).
There were perhaps 100 vehicles on the shuttle that had stopped.
Le Shuttle stated that they would contact each passenger individually to arrange reimbursement.
