According to Eurostar, train traffic through the tunnel could still resume on Thursday evening. It is not clear whether all affected travelers can still reach their destination. In London alone, according to British media, thousands of train passengers were stranded due to an unexpected industrial strike. International train traffic between the Netherlands and London has also stopped.

According to the French company Getlink, which operates the Channel Tunnel, French unions rejected the year-end bonus of 1,000 euros announced by the administration. They are said to have called for a strike until this amount is tripled.

Stuck on trains at stations

Many Via X train passengers reported being stuck on trains or at stations. Some say they returned to the departure station. Local workers will also give ferry tickets for the passenger train. Eurostar says affected passengers can exchange their tickets or receive a refund.

The undersea tunnel between Folkestone in Britain and Calais in France is the only railway line between mainland Britain and the continent of Europe. Because many travelers depend on this connection, the strike puts many Christmas holiday plans in jeopardy. Eurostar flights to Brussels and Paris are still possible.