2023-12-31 11:10:29
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Some sections of the Eurostar train tunnel connecting the UK and continental Europe were flooded, causing traffic chaos at one point.
Train operations have resumed through overnight drainage work, but as bad weather is forecast, disruption is expected until New Year’s Day.
Correspondent Son Ryung reports from Paris.
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Water is gushing out of the pipe.
The water flows into the tunnel and soon submerges the tracks.
On the 29th local time, flooding occurred in the Eurostar Tunnel connecting the UK and mainland Europe.
Eurostar services were suspended due to the closure of the tunnel between England’s St Pancras station and Ebbsfleet station in the southeast.
41 trains to and from Paris, France, Brussels, Belgium, and Amsterdam, the Netherlands, were canceled.
Transportation in Europe was disrupted as 30,000 people who were scheduled to use the train sought alternative flights and ships at once.
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“I looked for a flight, but it was already sold out. I tried looking into other trains and cars, but those were impossible.”
Although the exact cause of the accident has not yet been revealed, authorities estimate that it is highly likely that there was a problem with the fire control system.
The Korea Meteorological Administration explained that it was unlikely to be due to weather, as there was not much precipitation at the time.
Trains resumed on Sunday, the 31st, as water was drained from the tunnel through overnight work, but disruptions continued, with some trains unable to maintain their speed.
Additionally, additional trains were not deployed, so passengers who might not use the train the previous day were still stranded.
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“People are probably worried regarding where to sleep. Because it is the year-end holiday, accommodation reservations are fully booked.”
This chaos occurred on the 21st, during the height of the year-end holiday period, just 10 days following the Eurostar was paralyzed by a surprise strike.
Additionally, with bad weather forecast for most parts of the UK, there are concerns that Europe’s transportation crisis will continue until the first day of the new year.
This is Son Ryeong from MBC News in Paris.
Video coverage: Lee Yoo-kyung / Video editing: Lee Sang-min
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