On March 7, 2025, Eurostar trains to London and all services to northern France were halted due to the discovery of an unexploded World War II bomb on railway tracks in Saint Denis, near Paris. The Paris police reported that the bomb was found early in the morning, prompting immediate safety measures.
- Unexploded WWII bomb discovered in Saint Denis
- Eurostar and northern France trains halted
- Security perimeter established around the site
- Demining teams working to resolve situation
- Gare du Nord traffic completely blocked
- Transport Minister warns of service disruptions
The bomb discovery occurred at approximately 4 a.m. local time, leading to a complete shutdown of train services from Gare du Nord, a major transit hub in Paris. This disruption affected both intercity and suburban lines, with traffic described as “completely blocked” by 9 a.m. French Transport Minister Philippe Tabarot stated that services would be “strongly shook up” for the rest of the day as demining teams worked diligently at the site.
Authorities have established a security perimeter around the bomb site, with technicians from Paris’ demining team assessing the situation. An SNCF spokesperson noted that the bomb is “really huge” and poses a serious threat to public safety. The police requested that traffic be halted at Gare du Nord until mid-morning to ensure safety during the operation.
Gare du Nord serves as a critical transit point for international travelers heading to northern France and the main Paris airport. Tabarot expressed hope that a reduced service would resume by the afternoon, reassuring the public that such discoveries, while rare, can occur. He emphasized that there is no immediate cause for alarm, as demining teams are trained to handle such situations.
The discovery of the unexploded bomb has led to significant travel disruptions in Paris, affecting thousands of commuters and travelers. Authorities continue to work on resolving the situation as safely and quickly as possible.
