Eurostar disruption expected all weekend following arson attacks in France ahead of Olympics

Passengers at the Eurostar terminal in London. PA
Passengers at the Eurostar terminal at St Pancras station Credit: PA Wire/PA Images

Eurostar passengers face continued disruption this weekend following arson attacks on the French rail network ahead of yesterday's Olympics opening ceremony.

The rail operator, which runs international services from London St Pancras, said one in four of its trains would not run over the weekend.

Four trains from London to Paris were cancelled today, with disruption expected to last until Monday.

Travellers were advised to postpone their journeys where possible.

The disruption came as the Paris 2024 Olympic Games got under way and as millions were expected to embark on summer getaways.

Olivia Atwell, 26, an Australian, was in tears at St Pancras on Saturday as she tried to get to Paris to watch her cousin, Amy, compete in the women’s basketball at the Olympics.

She said she had not slept since getting on a 5.40am flight from Sydney to London on Friday.

Ms Atwell, an accountant from Sydney, said: “I’ve not slept. If I don’t get a train I’ll get a flight to Paris.”

Among those affected on Friday was Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, who was to travel on the Eurostar for the Games’ opening ceremony but flew to Paris instead.

French rail company SNCF said a series of incidents overnight into Friday had affected travel to and from London, to Belgium and across the west, north and east of France.

Passengers at the Eurostar terminal at St Pancras station in central London. Credit: PA

French Prime Minister Gabriel Attal said the vandals strategically targeted the main routes towards Paris.

Speaking to reporters, Mr Attal said there would be “massive consequences”, with “hundreds of thousands” of people stuck while trying to visit Paris for the Games or holidays.

The majority of Team GB athletes were arriving at the Games via Eurostar.

The British Olympic Association said only two athletes were scheduled to arrive on Friday and had been subject to only minor delays.

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.

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