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2 months ago
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Eurostar have resumed its services between London and Paris post the successful removal of an unexploded World War II bomb discovered close to the tracks in the French capital.
The train operator had to put a halt to all 32 trains that were slated to run on Friday, March 7, after workers stumbled upon the explosive device near railway lines in Saint-Denis, north of Paris.
According to the company, travellers can expect "normal traffic" on the route going forward from Saturday, with an additional service added each way, as well as the standard schedule.
The eagerly awaited first Eurostar service zipping off from London St Pancras to Gare du Nord in Paris left at6:31 am on Saturday.
The discovery was made at roughly 4am on Friday by railway personnel amidst ongoing track works, with French Transport Minister Philippe Tabarot addressing the media on the find in the afternoon.
The disruption caused a significant headache for thousands booked on the day's services.
Hopeful passengers gathered at both London St Pancras and Paris' Gare du Nord stations, in an attempt to snag a ride on later trains as only morning journeys were initially scrapped.
Close to 300 police officers swarmed to the site in Saint-Denis to supervise safety, while bomb disposal teams entered the scene just half an hour past the finding, Mr Tabarot said.
Schools faced evacuations and locals were advised to remain inside their homes.
Finally, Mr Tabarot announced that the bomb removal operation successfully concluded just after 4 pm on Friday.
"We are delighted and relieved that all this has come to an end", he said.
"The whole northern part of our country was paralysed – almost 500 trains and 600,000 people in Gare du Nord, and it affected international travel," he added.
Eurostar passengers have been offered a choice to request a refund or receive a voucher for the value of their ticket if their train was cancelled.
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