Unexploded WWII-era bomb cleared after Europe’s trains screech to a halt

The unexploded bomb caused major travel delays, halting the Eurostar, a trans-European train that connects western Europe.

Clearance operations have been completed for an unexploded Second World War-era bomb discovered in Paris by construction workers overnight.

The half-ton explosive was found between the train tracks leading to Gare Du Nord station — which serves 700,000 passengers a day — in the Seine-Saint Denis region on Paris’ northern border.

Workers stumbled upon the device while operating an earth-moving machine as part of a bridge repair project. It was buried approximately six feet below ground.

The discovery caused major travel delays, halting the Eurostar, a trans-European train connecting passengers to London, Paris and other cities via the Channel Tunnel. A slew of northern France’s domestic travel operations were also impacted.

Bomb disposal services arrived within an hour of its discovery and quickly established a 500-metre security perimeter. Morning rush-hour travellers at Gare du Nord were met by signs warning of disruptions, as well as snaking lines of passengers navigating ticket exchanges, travel updates and a blockaded international terminal.

Similarly, Eurostar travellers at London’s St. Pancras International were left waiting for updates.

Sweeping cancellations left many scrambling for alternative arrangements, with some being advised to find flights or to book tickets for trains to Lille in the north of France.

Cancellations were felt across western Europe.