Unexploded WWII bomb forces rail, road shutdowns in Paris

An unexploded World War II-era bomb discovered near Paris' Gare du Nord railway station has caused widespread disruption to travel, halting Eurostar services connecting the French capital to London and Brussels.

The bomb, which was unearthed overnight, has not only disrupted high-speed rail links but also severed significant portions of Paris' road network, creating chaos for both train and road commuters, Caliber.Az reports via foreign media.

Paris police reported that the A1 highway, a critical route into the city, has been closed, along with parts of the city's busy ring road. Authorities have set up a large security perimeter around the bomb-disposal site, evacuating nearby areas as bomb disposal teams work to safely defuse the device.

The discovery of the bomb, which weighed around half a ton, occurred in the Seine-Saint-Denis region, just to the north of Paris. The bomb was found while workers were conducting earth-moving operations near the tracks. French Transport Minister Philippe Tabarot confirmed the discovery, stating that “a quite large” security zone was established around the site to ensure public safety.

As a result of the bomb threat, Eurostar, which operates high-speed trains between the UK and mainland Europe, announced the cancellation of all its services from Paris' Gare du Nord. The cancellations affected trains traveling to London and Brussels, leaving passengers stranded at stations and scrambling for alternatives.

At London’s St. Pancras station, travelers were left uncertain about their travel plans. "There’s no solution, we’re going to call the hotel and stay one more day. And change our train ticket,” said Michel Garrot, a retired Parisian who found himself stranded in Brussels with his wife.

The impact of the discovery extended beyond Eurostar trains, disrupting intercity and commuter rail services throughout Paris. The cancellation of services out of Gare du Nord, the busiest railway station in France, created cascading delays across France’s rail network.

The discovery of unexploded World War II munitions is not uncommon in France, but it is rare for them to be found in such a high-traffic area. The French national rail company, SNCF, confirmed that rail traffic was halted at the request of local police as the bomb-disposal operation continues.

As authorities work to resolve the situation, Transport Minister Tabarot urged commuters to delay their travel plans, warning of continuing disruptions as the bomb disposal teams carry out their work.

By Vafa Guliyeva