Eurostar passengers trapped on 45°C train for hours due to power supply issue

Eurostar passengers were stuck on a train for nearly three hours today after it broke down shortly after leaving Brussels.

Those on-board the train said temperatures rose to more than 40°C after the air conditioning went off when the power shut down.

Around 700 people were eventually evacuated from the carriages, but then had to wait inside the tunnel for another train to rescue them.

Passenger Tom Theys said he had been left feeling ‘uncomfortable’ as the train got hotter and hotter.

He said: ‘We left Brussels at 11am local time and were just outside the urban area when all of a sudden the train stopped.

‘They told us they needed to switch off all the electricity on board. The biggest thing was the air conditioning, the temperature rose to an estimated 45°C inside the train.

‘We stayed inside the train for about two hours – it was packed. The staff were really friendly and continuously bringing water, but it kept getting hotter and hotter. It was very uncomfortable.

‘After about two hours or so they asked us to leave the train and all move to a tunnel that was nearby, which was really cool and it was very pleasant to be there.’

Another passenger named Melissa Houghton said she thought her time on the packed train was closer to three hours.

She shared photos of herself smiling with friends after finally being able to escape the confines of the hot carriage.

All passengers were taken back to Brussels by the rescue train.

A Eurostar spokeswoman said: ‘One of our trains has been held due to an issue with the power supply.

‘We are working to resolve this as soon as possible, and another train has been sent from Brussels to collect travellers on board.

‘Customers with bookings this afternoon should check our website for any cancellations caused as a knock-on effect and we apologies for any inconvenience caused.’