Paris: Train services to London and northern France were brought to a standstill on Friday after railway workers discovered an unexploded World War II bomb near the tracks leading to Paris’ busiest station, Gare du Nord.
Paris police reported that the explosive device was found at around 4 a.m. in Saint-Denis, prompting the immediate establishment of a security perimeter. The discovery has severely impacted intercity, suburban, and international train routes, including Eurostar services.
Specialist demining teams were dispatched to the scene, with an SNCF spokesperson describing the device as "exceptionally large" and posing a "serious risk" to public safety.
As of 9 a.m., all train traffic through Gare du Nord remained at a complete standstill, according to Transport Minister Philippe Tabarot, who warned that services would face major disruptions throughout the day. SNCF officials indicated that operations would remain suspended until at least mid-morning, in line with police instructions.
Gare du Nord serves as a crucial transit hub for regional commuters, international travelers, and connections to Paris’ main airport. Authorities hope to gradually resume services later in the afternoon once the bomb disposal team has secured the area.
While acknowledging the severity of the situation, Minister Tabarot reassured the public that such discoveries, though rare, are handled with extreme caution. "There’s no need to panic," he told Sud Radio, noting that while security teams regularly deal with abandoned baggage, encountering wartime explosives remains an uncommon occurrence.
