Eurostar, the high-speed rail service linking Britain with continental Europe, is contending with significant delays for the second consecutive day after incidents involving cable theft and a tragic accident near Lille, France. The train operator reported substantial service disruption on Wednesday, resulting from a recent "cable theft" close to the station in northern France, prompting the company to recommend that passengers cancel or postpone their journeys.
In addition to the ongoing disturbances, Eurostar had to suspend routes on Tuesday following the deaths of two individuals on its high-speed line between Lille and Paris. Such disruptions come amidst a backdrop of increasing concerns about sabotage in Europe, coinciding with multiple recent incidents that have impeded rail services due to cable theft or vandalism.
For instance, in May, cable theft left over 10,000 passengers stranded in Spain, while last July, arsonists targeted French high-speed rail lines, cutting and burning cables ahead of the Paris Olympics' opening ceremony. Experts note that France's particularly dense rail network is prone to such sabotage due to its sheer size and complexity.
Currently, there has been no official statement regarding the motivations behind the cable thefts affecting the Eurostar services. The unfolding situation highlights the vulnerability of rail infrastructure in Europe as it seeks to balance efficiency and security amidst rising criminal activity.
