In brief
The discovery of an unexploded World War II bomb in Saint-Denis, near Gare du Nord, led to significant train disruptions in Paris, affecting many commuters and travelers, including Eurostar services. Authorities worked to safely remove the device, warning of prolonged travel delays.
Trains in France were significantly disrupted for several hours on Friday after an unexploded World War II bomb was found near Gare du Nord, one of the busiest train stations in Paris, according to authorities. The bomb was discovered overnight in the suburb of Saint-Denis, close to railway tracks leading into the terminal that handles high-speed and commuter trains, including Eurostar services connecting Paris to the UK, Belgium, and the Netherlands.In response to the situation, the national railway company of France announced a halt to all train services to and from Gare du Nord until around mid-afternoon, as police requested the intervention of mine-sweeping teams. Passengers found themselves stranded, with the station having welcomed over 226 million travelers in the previous year. Philippe Tabarot, the transportation minister of France, assured the public during a radio announcement that while the situation was concerning, there were “no worries” regarding safety. He emphasized that all necessary precautions were being taken for the bomb's safe removal. “It is unusual to find World War II bombs in such populated areas,” Tabarot stated, noting that while cases of abandoned luggage are common, discoveries of unexploded ordnance are rare.This incident sheds light on an ongoing issue in Europe, where construction projects frequently reveal remnants from the continent's turbulent 20th-century conflicts. In a similar recent case, over 175 practice bombs were uncovered in a children's playground in northern England just last month, while Berlin faced evacuations in 2018 due to the discovery of a heavy World War II bomb. The authorities continue to work diligently to handle the situation with the utmost care, although it is anticipated that train services may remain affected for the remainder of the day.
