Eurostar service Library Photo: Susan Scott SCOPIX –
A major power failure inside the Channel Tunnel has brought holiday travel to a standstill, leaving thousands of motorists stranded at the Folkestone terminal. The outage, which occurred today, Tuesday 30 December, was triggered by a localized electrical fault that caused a shuttle train to break down mid-transit within the undersea link.
The incident has forced the indefinite suspension of all services, including Eurotunnel’s vehicle shuttles from Folkestone and Eurostar passenger trains from London. The terminal has become a primary flashpoint for the disruption, with vehicle queues lengthening as “technical interventions” continue underground.
In a statement from the Folkestone-based site, Eurotunnel confirmed that recovery teams are working to restore power and move the stalled train. While operators initially hoped for a gradual resumption of service by Tuesday afternoon, a 15:30 GMT update warned that the fault persists, leaving year-end travel plans in chaos for many travellers.