Delays after Channel Tunnel train breaks down

HUNDREDS of passengers experienced lengthy delays after being evacuated from a broken-down train in the Channel Tunnel yesterday.

The train stopped 7.5 miles into the 30-mile long tunnel. Picture: Getty

The French-bound Eurotunnel passenger shuttle train came to a halt at 7:30am about seven miles into the 30-mile tunnel after a problem with the overhead power line.

The 382 passengers and four dogs were evacuated and taken on to the French terminal.

Richard Byrom, one of the passengers, said: “We heard this crashing sound and scraping and it had obviously crashed into an object of some sort. The train gradually came to a halt and then there was a moment where we were thinking ‘what happens’.”

“When they evacuated the train, we were all taken to a central point in the carriage, then to one of the service tunnels.”

Services through the tunnel, using one of the two running tunnels, were able to continue but Eurotunnel said services were delayed by repair works but that they were expected to return to normal today.