Eurostar train evacuated in northern France after four-hour wait

People have been evacuated from a broken-down Eurostar train in northern France after waiting nearly four hours for help, passengers have told the BBC.

One person who was on board said they had been stuck on the train without air conditioning before emergency services and local rescue teams arrived to hand out water.

James Grierson said he was evacuated alongside a number of “very frustrated” passengers, and there was “no sign” of a replacement train to collect them.

Eurostar has been approached for comment. It had earlier posted messages on social media urging passengers to remain in their seats and wait for a replacement train.

The affected train was en route from Brussels to London before it suffered “some electrical failing 10 minutes outside of Calais”, Mr Grierson said.

Eurostar has not yet commented on the cause of the delay.

Pictures from the scene show dozens of people stood outside the stationary train, along with rescuers in high-vis jackets – one carrying an armful of bottled water.

Several passengers have messaged Eurostar on X, complaining of no air conditioning, overflowing toilets and a lack of updates.

The rail operator has replied to some of these messages apologising and saying a replacement train has been arranged to pick them up.