Train services at Paris’ Gare du Nord station were severely disrupted on Wednesday morning after an unexploded World War II bomb was discovered near the tracks.
The Eurostar and local train lines were affected, forcing authorities to halt operations at one of Europe's busiest rail hubs.
Bomb Found “In the Middle of the Tracks”
Local media reported that the bomb was found overnight during railway maintenance work in Saint-Denis, a suburb just north of Paris.
The explosive device was located “in the middle of the tracks,” prompting immediate action from security forces.
French train operator SNCF confirmed the discovery and announced that train traffic would be suspended until mid-morning at the request of police.
“We invite travellers to postpone their trip,” the company said in a statement, as cited by Euronews.
The disruption heavily impacted Eurostar routes between London and Paris. The cross-Channel rail operator posted an alert on its website, stating:
"Due to an object on the tracks near Paris Gare du Nord, we are expecting disruption to our services this morning. Please change your journey for a different date of travel."
At least four trains from London’s St Pancras station to Paris and six return services from Paris to London have been canceled so far.
A Common Remnant of War
Despite being nearly 80 years since World War II ended, unexploded bombs are still frequently discovered across Europe, particularly in France and Germany.
Construction projects and railway maintenance often unearth these long-buried explosives, requiring evacuations and temporary shutdowns to safely remove them.
Authorities have yet to confirm how long services at Gare du Nord will be affected, but updates are expected as bomb disposal teams assess the situation.
This is a developing story.
