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Unexpected strike interrupts services through Channel Tunnel
By Xinhua Published: Dec 22, 2023 11:09 AM
Passengers gather at St. Pancras International Station in London, Britain on Dec. 21, 2023. Unexpected strike action by Eurotunnel staff disrupted rail traffic on Thursday, preventing services from proceeding through the Channel Tunnel, the undersea link between Britain and continental Europe.(Photo: Xinhua)

Passengers gather at St. Pancras International Station in London, Britain on Dec. 21, 2023. Unexpected strike action by Eurotunnel staff disrupted rail traffic on Thursday, preventing services from proceeding through the Channel Tunnel, the undersea link between Britain and continental Europe.(Photo: Xinhua)


 
Passengers gather at St. Pancras International Station in London, Britain on Dec. 21, 2023. Unexpected strike action by Eurotunnel staff disrupted rail traffic on Thursday, preventing services from proceeding through the Channel Tunnel, the undersea link between Britain and continental Europe.(Photo: Xinhua)

Passengers gather at St. Pancras International Station in London, Britain on Dec. 21, 2023. Unexpected strike action by Eurotunnel staff disrupted rail traffic on Thursday, preventing services from proceeding through the Channel Tunnel, the undersea link between Britain and continental Europe.(Photo: Xinhua)


 
Passengers gather at St. Pancras International Station in London, Britain on Dec. 21, 2023. Unexpected strike action by Eurotunnel staff disrupted rail traffic on Thursday, preventing services from proceeding through the Channel Tunnel, the undersea link between Britain and continental Europe.(Photo: Xinhua)

Passengers gather at St. Pancras International Station in London, Britain on Dec. 21, 2023. Unexpected strike action by Eurotunnel staff disrupted rail traffic on Thursday, preventing services from proceeding through the Channel Tunnel, the undersea link between Britain and continental Europe.(Photo: Xinhua)


 
Passengers gather at St. Pancras International Station in London, Britain on Dec. 21, 2023. Unexpected strike action by Eurotunnel staff disrupted rail traffic on Thursday, preventing services from proceeding through the Channel Tunnel, the undersea link between Britain and continental Europe.(Photo: Xinhua)

Passengers gather at St. Pancras International Station in London, Britain on Dec. 21, 2023. Unexpected strike action by Eurotunnel staff disrupted rail traffic on Thursday, preventing services from proceeding through the Channel Tunnel, the undersea link between Britain and continental Europe.(Photo: Xinhua)


 
Unexpected strike action by Eurotunnel staff disrupted rail traffic on Thursday, preventing services from proceeding through the Channel Tunnel, the undersea link between Britain and continental Europe.

"All customers with travel booked for today are advised to postpone," train operator Eurostar said on social media platform X, adding that services will not resume "until mid-afternoon at earliest."

Trains on four routes will return to their starting point as they are now canceled, according to Eurostar.

"Today's call for strike action by representatives of Eurotunnel's French site staff unions has resulted in the complete interruption of service and the closure of our terminals in France and the UK," Getlink, the company that operates the tunnel, said in a statement.

According to the company, trade unions rejected a bonus payment of 1,000 euros (1,099 U.S. dollars).

Photos shared on social media showed passengers stuck at several train stations in Britain just days before the Christmas holidays. Some posted questions about how long it will take for services to resume.