Power cut strands Eurostar passengers
Eurostar trains came to a standstill after a power cut
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By Tom Powell. |  |
Saturday, 26, Sep 2009 05:09
Eurostar will refund around 1,000 passengers after a power cut stranded passengers in the darkness for several hours before they were rescued.
The 19:32 BST service from London to Paris and the 19:34 BST service to Brussels both stopped outside Lille, France at around 21:00 hours on Friday night.
The Paris-bound train carrying around 500 passengers was eventually towed into Lille station by a diesel locomotive, where they were able to board a replacement train, while those headed for Brussels had to complete their journey by bus. Both groups arrived at their destinations early the next morning.
Passengers complained of poor communication from staff.
Sara Forgione, from north London, told the BBC: "There was no light; we had to wait in complete darkness for about two hours, and then we had to walk the full length of the train in complete darkness to eventually get off and make our way to the buses.
"The communication from the staff was terrible."
A spokesperson for Eurostar said it is offering a refund and complimentary return journeys for the affected passengers.