Eurostar has suspended its London-Brussels service following a crash between two Belgian commuter trains which is believed to have killed up to 25 people.
The head-on crash occurred at 8.30am local time near Halle outside of Brussels, where the domestic commuter lines intersect with the country’s high-speed lines.
Eurostar is advising that services are likely to be cancelled for the whole of today. In a statement on its website, travellers booked to go to Brussels are being told they can either exchange their tickets or have them refunded through their original point of purchase.
The statement adds: “An emergency coach shuttle service is running between Lille and Brussels, with priority being given to transporting passengers who had already started their journeys.
“We strongly advise that due to both the Lille and Brussels stations being extremely congested (as all TGV Thalys and Eurostar services are suspended) that you do not travel unless your journey is essential.”
A local train service is also running hourly between Brussels and Lille Flanders station, a trip that takes more than 90 minutes. Eurostar tickets are being accepted on this service but travellers have been asked not to travel on this service unless absolutely necessary.