Unexploded device found near France’s busiest train station, disrupting travel
Train services at Paris Gare du Nord came to a standstill on Friday after a World War II bomb was discovered on the tracks, disrupting one of France’s busiest rail hubs.
The unexploded ordnance was found overnight during maintenance work in Saint-Denis, about 2.5 kilometers (1.5 miles) from the station, the SNCF rail company confirmed.
Major disruptions at Paris Gare du Nord
Gare du Nord, which handles over 700,000 passengers daily, is a key hub for Eurostar, regional, and suburban trains. The discovery forced authorities to suspend all train services as police worked to neutralize the device.
Transport Minister Philippe Tabarot warned that disruptions would last all day, urging travelers to avoid the station and reschedule their journeys. Speaking to Sud Radio, he expressed hope that services could resume by the afternoon.
Eurostar and commuters affected
Eurostar issued a statement advising passengers to change their travel plans, saying, “Due to an object on the tracks at Paris Gare du Nord, we expect disruption to our services this morning.”
Some commuters were caught off guard. “It’s funny, I just came back from Lorient where unexploded shells are discovered all the time,” said passenger Chloe Ternand, referring to a town in western France.
Not the first wartime bomb disruption
This is not the first time a World War II bomb has disrupted train traffic in Paris. In 2019, the discovery of an unexploded device paralyzed routes between Saint-Lazare station and the western suburbs.
